Wichita road crews prepare for wintry Thanksgiving weather

Road crews in Wichita are poised to keep roads safe with the wintry weather moving in over the Thanksgiving holiday, city public works and utilities director Alan King said Wednesday.

Here’s what you need to know about about traveling around town if you’re heading out to see family and friends or tackling some post-turkey shopping between now and Monday:

The forecast: Rainfall forecasted for Thursday is expected to start freezing by early evening, as temperatures begin a downward slide from a daytime high in the mid-50s. A tenth to a quarter inch of ice could accumulate across the city by late Friday afternoon. The high will be around 30. Chances of freezing rain and freezing drizzle could persist through Monday.

Possible problems: Roads could be slick from the ice, increasing the risk of traffic accidents for travelers and shoppers out trying to snag a Black Friday deal, according to King and Wichita Police Department spokesman Lt. James Espinoza.

Minor flooding also could be an issue, especially on streets where drainage inlets are plugged by fallen leaves, King said. When the temperature drops, that could freeze, too.

Plan of attack: Road crews are out looking at plugged draining inlets and clearing leaves in anticipation of the upcoming wintry weather, King said. At some point Thursday, the city also plans to deploy up to 61 plow trucks equipped with spreaders to drop a sand-salt mixture on Wichita’s main thoroughfares, school routes and bridges. The mixture will help keep the rain from freezing on the streets.

Crews could be out around the clock depending on the weather, King said.

“We want to get ahead of it as much as is practical,” he said, “and get as much salt-sand mix down on our routes in anticipation of a freeze.”

How to help: To lessen the chance of street flooding and icing from plugged drainage inlets, King asked that people don’t rake leaves from their yards out into the streets.

“It causes some flooding, and then if it’s followed by freezing temperatures that causes ice,” he said. “It’s difficult to get around.”

Wichita police are asking motorists to be courteous and patient with others who may be less experienced navigating icy roads and to drive at a speed that’s reasonable for weather conditions.

“Just because a certain street says you can go 40 miles an hour when there’s ice and snow ... you don’t have to go that speed. Make sure that you’re comfortable,” Espinoza said.

He also asked drivers to avoid staring at accidents they encounter so they don’t cause additional congestion or fender benders.

“Continue to move safely,” Espinoza said. “We’re hoping for good, safe holiday weekend.”

This story was originally published November 25, 2015 at 2:53 PM with the headline "Wichita road crews prepare for wintry Thanksgiving weather."