As Georgia prepares for another winter weather event expected to arrive overnight Friday into Saturday, the Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) is taking steps to keep roads clear and safe. Crews are pre-treating and will plow about 20,000 lane miles of interstates and state routes across northern, central, and southeastern parts of the state. Staff will work in 12-hour shifts around the clock before, during, and after the storm.
Brine operations began late Thursday night in metro Atlanta, reaching roughly 85% coverage by Friday morning. Other regions started brining at 7 a.m. Friday with plans to finish by 7 p.m., shifting quickly to plowing as snow begins to accumulate.
Forecasts from the National Weather Service indicate light to heavy snowfall across much of Georgia. Snow is expected in northwest areas late Friday into early Saturday and could reach Atlanta before sunrise on Saturday.
Georgia DOT is using a statewide strategy by positioning crews, equipment, and materials where they are most needed based on updated forecasts that now show possible greater impacts farther west than first anticipated. Plans are being adjusted in real time as conditions change.
Initial efforts focus on interstates and critical routes. The department has replenished its brine supplies after last weekend’s storm and is prepared with nearly two million gallons statewide. There is also capacity to produce an additional 50,000 gallons per hour if necessary.
In areas expecting heavier snowfall, crews are concentrating on brining outside lanes of major highways such as I-75 from Tennessee to Macon; I-85 from Atlanta to South Carolina; I-285; I-20 through and east of Atlanta; I-16; and I-95. This approach aims to maximize coverage ahead of plowing operations once snow falls.
Resource management involves prioritizing treatment for outside lanes, ramps, and overpasses on multi-lane interstates while focusing on outside lanes for two-lane interstates. The goal is to keep critical routes open while managing resources efficiently across the state.
Once snow starts accumulating, Georgia DOT will transition crews from pre-treatment duties to plowing operations using about 570 snow removal units—including more than 430 plows/spreaders/dump trucks and over 130 heavy-duty pickups equipped with plows or spreaders—operating continuously throughout the storm.
Drivers should be aware that even after roads have been treated or cleared by plows, accumulation may continue due to ongoing snowfall or low temperatures. Clearing all affected lane miles will take time between passes because of shift schedules and extensive coverage needs. Plows will remain active during and after the storm until roads are safe.
The public is advised not to travel Saturday or Sunday unless necessary. HERO units will maintain round-the-clock service on metro Atlanta interstates while CHAMP units begin continuous service elsewhere in Georgia starting this evening for stranded motorists needing help. For assistance from HERO or CHAMP teams or up-to-date road information—including closures—drivers can call 511 or visit https://511ga.org/.
Local roads fall under city or county responsibility so treatment schedules may differ from those maintained by Georgia DOT; drivers should check with local officials before traveling these routes.
Express Lanes along several interstate corridors—including I-75 Northwest Corridor (closing at 9:00 p.m.), I-75 South Metro (10:30 p.m.), and I-85 Express Lanes (midnight)—will close Friday evening until conditions improve enough for reopening.
Motorists are encouraged to monitor https://511ga.org/ for current road conditions or incidents before traveling. Updates can also be found through Georgia DOT’s social media channels including Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram as weather conditions develop further.
“Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation,” according to a statement from the agency.
