Highways around Columbia still hazardous before freezing chance

Highways and neighborhood streets in and around Columbia remain hazardous for drivers into Saturday night.

According to MoDOT’s traveler map, several sections of roadways were either mostly cleared, partly covered or covered as of 9 p.m. Saturday.

Forecasts show temperatures could dip below freezing overnight, which could cause more problems for drivers.

Columbia Public Works Tweeted that it will have a crew of 18 working overnight to clear roads.

An 18-person plow crew reported at 7 p.m. for a 12-hour shift. Engineers anticipate moving into neighborhood streets sometime Sunday morning depending upon conditions.https://t.co/5oYbOwvAkI

— Columbia Pub Works (@pub_works) January 13, 2019

The Missouri State Highway Patrol has responded to thousands of calls for service across the state.

In Troop F, which is the patrol’s central district, troopers responded to 648 calls for service, saw 365 slide-offs and almost 200 crashes since noon on Friday.

Statewide, troopers saw 3918 calls for service, assisted 1790 stranded motorists, 878 crashes and 57 injuries. There were four fatal crashes in Henry, Carroll and Scott counties on Friday.

For Columbia’s map of road conditions, click here.