Hartford, CT – With freezing temperatures returning and snow showers spreading across Connecticut in November, transportation officials are warning drivers in Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport to take extra care as bridges and overpasses freeze faster than other roads.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they lose heat from both the top and bottom, unlike roadways built on solid ground that retain warmth from the earth. When temperatures dip near or below freezing, that double exposure allows ice to form rapidly on bridge decks.
“Drivers often don’t realize that a bridge can be icy while nearby roads are still wet,” the NWS noted Friday. “It’s one of the most dangerous winter driving conditions because it happens suddenly and without visible warning.”
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has begun pre-treating major spans along I-84, I-95, and Route 15 to limit icing ahead of the weekend’s cold front. Officials are asking motorists to reduce speed before crossing bridges, maintain steady speed over icy patches, and avoid sudden braking or acceleration.
Even a thin layer of black ice can make bridges treacherous, especially before sunrise when surfaces appear clear but are slick. Forecasters expect lows in the 20s overnight with another round of snow possible Sunday morning.
Drivers can check updated road and weather conditions at CT511.org and weather.gov before heading out.
