Georgia Department of Transportation

01/22/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/22/2026 23:08

GDOT preparing to brine east-central Georgia routes

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For Immediate Release:
January 22, 2026
Contact: Will Volk 478.251.5056
[email protected]
District Two Communications

GDOT preparing to brine east-central Georgia routes

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Augusta, Ga. - Georgia Department of Transportation crews and contractors are scheduled to begin brine operations in District 2 (east-central Georgia) on Saturday, January 24. Brine is a solution of salt and water used to decrease the probability of freezing under certain conditions. A Georgia DOT contractor is scheduled to begin treating all state routes north of Interstate 20 at midnight Friday night into Saturday. Georgia DOT maintenance crews will begin treating Interstate 16, Interstate 20, Interstate 520/Bobby Jones Expressway, and all state routes between I-16 and I-20 on Saturday at 7 a.m.

Trucks must travel 40 mph to properly apply the treatment. Please pay attention and stay back at least 100 feet.

Georgia DOT is preparing to respond to this event for multiple days. Current forecasts suggest refreezing could be an issue across the district for multiple nights after the start of the event. Ice has the potential to damage trees and power lines, meaning Georgia DOT crews may need to clear debris from the roadway. For safety reasons, crews cannot clear debris wrapped in fallen power lines until the utility company responds.

Response plans will be driven by priority. Crews will focus on interstates first, followed by high-priority state routes, including US 1, US 25, US 441, SR 540, and SR 17 (from Wrens to the Wilkes/Elbert County line).

Roads are not guaranteed to remain safe for travel. Ice accumulations may cause significant travel hazards. Roads may become impassable. Travel during the event is strongly discouraged. Motorists who choose to travel during the event are advised to keep emergency supplies in their vehicle, including non-perishable food, water, blankets, additional layers of clothing, flashlights, and a first-aid kit.

To help mitigate potential issues involving stranded motorists, stalled vehicles, or crashes, Georgia DOT's HERO (Highway Emergency Response Operators) and CHAMP (Coordinated Highway Assistance and Maintenance Patrol) units will begin 24-hour patrols on interstates starting at 7 a.m. Saturday. Patrol efforts will primarily focus on I-20 and routes northward.

Starting Saturday morning, crews will be staffed around the clock until the threat is over. All district maintenance personnel will work 12-hour shifts.

Please note, our plans are based on current weather reports and are subject to change.
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Georgia Department of Transportation published this content on January 22, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 23, 2026 at 05:08 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]