With the threat of a potential severe weather event looming in the not so distant future, the Delaware Department of Transportation wants to assure motorists traveling in and around Delaware that we are ready to take on old man winter.

First and foremost, the Delaware Department of Transportation offers information online to keep you informed of what's happening on Delaware roadways.  Under the Travel Advisory section of the website, you can get information in several ways:

• View text reports (Real Time Traffic Advisories or RTTA) of current traffic conditions as reported by the DelDOT Transportation Management Center. These advisories are updated 24 hours a day and include only those incidents which have the potential to impact traffic significantly. Major incidents in other states are also reported.
• Listen to a LIVE broadcast of current traffic conditions brought to you by WTMC, DelDOT's radio station 1380 AM.
• View video of live traffic conditions in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties.

DelDOT also offers MyDelDOT, a subscription service that delivers traffic and travel information directly to your desktop.  You can pick and choose what information you wish to receive.  Be sure to sign up now for this free service.

Below are a number of significant facts associated with the snow removal operations:

Equipment - Approximately 340 pieces statewide, includes dump trucks with snowplows, graders, and 4 wheel drive vehicles. A limited number of heavy-duty V-plows and snow blowers are also available on a statewide basis for unusually severe weather.

Personnel - During peak snow periods, all available staff take part in snow removal operations. This includes drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, prowl car drivers and office personnel to man phone lines. During particularly lengthy or difficult storms, private contractors may be called in to assist with snow removal along highway shoulders and the clearing of crossover areas.

Material - DelDOT primarily uses a mixture of salt and sand when placing material on roadways. Sand provides traction, salt provides melting action, and the combination helps to keep costs down, as well as not being as hard on bridges and roadsides as the use of straight salt would be.

Method of Operation - Each maintenance area has its own snow removal plan for its operations. All roadways are divided into categories with primary roads and transit routes receiving first and continuous attention. (Routes 13, 113, I-95, SR 1, etc.). Only after the primary roads are open and passable, do crews move to the secondary, and later, tertiary roads. Changing weather conditions include freezing/thawing, additional accumulation, wind, may force crews to return to primary roads even after operations have started on secondary roads. The Department maintains 88% of all roadways in Delaware, approximately 5500 total miles of roadway system.

Safe Driving Tips for winter weather can be a real lifesaver.  Learn what you need to know to stay safe when traveling in bad winter weather.

As always, please contact the Delaware Department of Transportation if you have questions or concerns about anything happening on Delaware's roadways. You can email us at dot-public-relations@state.de.us or call us (toll free in Delaware) at 800-652-5600 or at 760-2080.  And please remember to drive safely.