Salt becomes less effective when temps drop below 15 degrees

Road crews in Oklahoma City have been working nonstop since Monday afternoon to treat and clear streets as freezing temperatures create hazardous driving conditions.

Crews pre-treated roads with a beet juice solution ahead of the winter weather. On Tuesday, they deployed about 600 tons of salt across the city, working in 12-hour shifts with approximately 30 trucks on the streets at any given time.

However, city officials warn that salt becomes less effective when temperatures drop below 15 degrees. While the material remains on the roads and will help melt once temperatures rise, it has little impact in single-digit conditions.

Drivers are urged to give road crews plenty of space while they work, staying at least 200 feet back to avoid interfering with operations. Officials remind residents to use caution when traveling and to be prepared for continued icy conditions, especially during the morning commute.

Crews will continue treating major roadways and monitoring conditions as freezing temperatures persist.