Slick Roads on New Year’s Eve

***UPDATE 11:45 A.M.***Jefferson City officials declared a snow emergency Monday, effective at 1:30 p.m. Police say roads could freeze overnight, and no one is allowed to park or leave a vehicle on roads designated as an emergency snow route. The city’s bus service, JeffTran, was also temporarily suspended until crews could clear the roads.The special precautions will last until noon tomorrow, January 1.A map of the snow routes is listed below.***ORIGINAL STORY***Road crews in Mid-Missouri are gearing up overnight to prepare for snow on New Year’s Eve. Snow could fall as early as 6 a.m. in some areas and then again at night. “We remind everybody to use caution on the road and allow a little extra time,” said Britt Smith, director of Jefferson City Public Works. Up to 2 inches of snow is expected to accumulate by noon, Smith said even light snowfall could make roads slick and dangerous to drive on. Party-goers are hoping the snow won’t dampen their New Year’s Eve plans. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I really want to have fun on New Year’s Eve, I look forward to it definitely,” said Shaleen Hogan, who plans to commute to Ashland to celebrate with her family. MoDot advises advises drivers to slow down and keep a good distance from the car ahead of you.Other precautions include steering and braking gently and accelerate slowly at intersections. One of the first places to freeze over first are bridges and over-passes. “If snow fighting is required, we’ll be out there pushing snow that’s what we’ll be doing, trying to make it safe for everybody so they can get to their traveling places,” said Smith. For the latest on road conditions, MoDot has an app for smart phones. Or you can also call their 24-hour hotline at 888-ASK-MODOT.