Metro Atlantans are waking up early Tuesday to find temperatures threatening to dip just below freezing at any moment, creating potentially hazardous driving conditions on roads already slickened by overnight rain.
State Department of Transportation road crews have been out all night treating interstates, state routes and overpasses. Every interstate in metro Atlanta has been treated twice with brine since Sunday, and every overpass has been treated with a gravel and salt mixture to provide traction in the event of freezing.
Currently about two dozen pavement sensors stationed around the state are indicating road temperatures above freezing, except for one station on I-75 near Chattanooga.
Officials are closely monitoring temperatures and hoping that windy conditions dry up some of the moisture on the roads.
The biggest worry right now for emergency road crews is trees and power lines that are coated with ice and in danger of falling in the northeast corner of the state around Lake Lanier, Gainesville and points northward. Several GDOT trucks in that area have been hit or trapped by downed trees.
GDOT spokeswoman Natalie Dale recommended that commuters delay going in to work until the sun is up and roadways have a chance to warm.
"We understand that some people don't have that option, but if you can, it's safer in the long run," Dale said.
Staff writer Andria Simmons compiled this report.
Additional coverage: Icing knocks out power to thousands, threatens Tuesday morning commute
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