MDOT Pretreats Lafayette County Roads Ahead of Winter Storm Fern

Salt brine trucks completed extensive pretreatment work on highways that serve Lafayette County as the Mississippi Department of Transportation prepared for Winter Storm Fern. The statewide campaign aimed to reduce ice formation on travel lanes ahead of forecasts calling for historic icing in the state’s northern counties, and it used 167,800 gallons of salt brine on roads across the region.

Crews sprayed salt brine on all four lanes of I-55, I-22 and U.S. 82 in north Mississippi and pretreated the outside lanes of four-lane highways, most two-lane highways and bridges. In central Mississippi, I-20 from Brandon west to the Mississippi River, I-220 and portions of Lakeland Drive/State Route 25 were treated. MDOT also reported pretreatment on I-55 from the I-20 stack north to Holmes County, with additional operations completed in southwest counties including Adams, Wilkinson, Franklin, Lincoln, Simpson and Smith. These corridors include routes used by Lafayette County drivers commuting to Oxford, local businesses and regional connections.

When applied to a dry road surface, salt brine can help prevent ice formation on travel lanes. If roads are already wet, MDOT said crews may apply granular salt to lower the freezing point of water, and sand or slag can be spread to improve traction in slushy conditions. Maintenance crews trained for winter operations remained on duty to treat and monitor roadways around the clock, often working long shifts away from their families to keep routes as safe as possible.

“I am very appreciative of our maintenance crews who worked hard in this historic road pretreatment operation,” said MDOT Executive Director Brad White. “We are using all our resources to prepare for what is forecast to be a devastating ice storm. Please be aware, despite our best efforts, the extreme nature of the storm could still result in road closures and the need for the public to avoid travel entirely.”

For Lafayette County residents, the pretreatment work is a proactive step but not a guarantee of safe travel. Expect slick spots on untreated back roads, bridges and shaded stretches even after spray operations. Local trips into Oxford, drives along U.S. 82 or north-south commutes on I-55 may be hazardous if freezing precipitation begins. MDOT advises avoiding unnecessary travel while the storm passes and monitoring real-time conditions before heading out.

MDOT will continue to update road conditions and closures; check GoMDOT.com/winter and MDOTtraffic.com for current information. As Winter Storm Fern moves through, Lafayette County drivers should plan for delays, allow extra time for essential trips and stay informed about evolving conditions.