Black ice remains a problem on Columbia roads

Columbia roads were still slippery in some areas Wednesday, including many side roads, after frigid air turned Tuesday’s rain and snowmelt to ice.

Barry Dalton with Columbia Public Works said there are scattered slick and icy spots and black ice is possible in some areas, so drivers need to take caution.

“Sometimes water will pool in certain areas and the temperature will drop and it will create a kind of a hidden ice patch,” Dalton said.

Dalton said he is not sure when roads will be clear of black ice because it depends on weather conditions and where the ice is present.

“It may dry up today because of the winds and the sunshine. It’s really hard to say,” Dalton said. He said specific areas to watch out for are where water is running or there are trees shading the road.

He said the department is now on standard staffing and crews are out working to treat the roads.

Cars and buses are traveling through Columbia without much issue, but drivers should watch for slick spots when pulling in and out of driveways as many have sheets of ice next to the road.

Sidewalks are also slippery in many areas where they have not been treated.

Several people in Columbia said sidewalks have many icy patches that are difficult to see and sidewalks across bridges are especially slick.

Columbia Public Works says it will continue to have crews work on the roads and will call more crew members in if needed.