Tulsa crews treat roads as winter weather moves in

City of Tulsa crews are out treating roads Wednesday morning as winter weather moves through the area.

Officials say the city's goal is to keep main roads as safe as possible as soon as snow or ice begins to fall. More than 200 city employees are working 12-hour shifts around the clock to keep roads clear.

Tulsa has more than 60 salt trucks to treat nearly 1,800 miles of streets. Crews also use a salt-brine solution to pre-treat roads, focusing on bridges, hills, and overpasses. Workers began applying the brine mixture at 6 p.m. Tuesday, and additional crews arrived at midnight to start spreading salt.

“When we go out and address these storms, our main concern is the arterial roadways—21st, 31st, 41st, Memorial, Sheridan, the main arterials,” said Tim McCorkell with the City of Tulsa. “We also ensure that we get around to the hospitals so emergency personnel have access.”

While city crews maintain some portions of the Tisdale and Gilcrease expressways, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation handles most highways and interstates, including on- and off-ramps.

McCorkell urges drivers to stay off the roads if possible and to give salt trucks plenty of space to operate.

City crews working the midnight shift will remain on duty until noon, with another team ready to take over if necessary.