Road conditions get worse as wintry precipitation continues

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Road conditions in Mid-Missouri continue to deteriorate into Monday evening as wintry precipitation continued to fall.

The Missouri Department of Transportation traveler map showed state highways in the Columbia area were partly covered or covered. Similar conditions are being shown closer to Jefferson City.

Roads in the Jefferson City area and around the Lake of the Ozarks were deteriorating early Monday afternoon. MoDOT's map showed Highway 50 was covered through Jefferson City.

Britt Smith with Jefferson City Public Works said there are some slick spots still out there.

"We have our full crew out and will continue to stay at that staffing crew at least through the evening rush," said Smith.

They have been full staffed since right after lunch and will continue to evaluate if this is necessary into the evening.

They are expected refreeze to happen as the sun goes down.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported a crash involving nine vehicles on Highway 54 in Camden County.

MSHP Troop F as of 3:30 p.m. had 84 calls for service throughout the day. There was a total of 33 crashes, only five of them being injury related. No deaths were reported at that time and there were 23 motorists stranded throughout the day.

MSHP Troop B as of 3:30 p.m. had a total of 46 calls for service. Twenty-two stranded motorists and seven total crashes throughout the day with no injuries involved in any of them. Corporal Justin Dunn said the roads in their region are covered and partially covered.

Missouri Department of Transportation and Columbia road crews are continuing to work on clearing snow and ice from streets.

A MoDOT spokesman cautioned the process is slower than it might be without the extreme cold, which makes treatments less effective.

Jason Shaffer with MoDOT said they have had their full crews in since this morning and have no plans for cutting those numbers down into the overnight hours.

They have seen mixtures of snow and freezing rain throughout the day.

As snow continues to fall, Shaffer wants the public to know, your road has not been untreated. Crews are struggling to keep up with all of the side roads at this time as the snow shows no signs of easing up.

There is also potential for refreeze, which creates slippery conditions that could be seen particularly on bridges and overpasses," MoDOT Central District Adam Pulley said.

More snow was falling on Mid-Missouri late Monday morning, with some freezing drizzle possible later in parts of the area. Highs are not expected to get out of the teens and 20s for the next week, with forecast lows in the single digits or below zero some of those days.

The snow lingering on less-traveled roads combined with extreme temperatures led many school districts to cancel classes or end them early.

A 22-person crew for the city of Columbia reported at 9:30 a.m. Monday. They are focusing on first-, second- and third-priority routes.

Pulley said MoDOT is prepared for more snow and ice and drivers will continue to see plows on the road.

Any thawing that occurs during daylight hours will likely refreeze overnight causing patches of black ice and slippery road conditions.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop B is advising travelers to take their time, drive slow, phone down, break softly, increase your following distance, wear your seatbelt, and have your headlights on when ur wipers are in use.

Troop F has seen a few slide-offs on the US 50/63 bridge over the Osage River at the Cole/Osage County line.

Troop F said, "If you plan on traveling outside Troop F today, Troops A,D,H,and I are currently experiencing a high call volume due to the deteriorating roads conditions. We are advising folks to stay home unless absolutely necessary."