Topeka, KS – As snow and freezing air move across the Plains this season, officials are warning Kansas drivers in Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City to be alert for bridges and overpasses freezing ahead of main roadways — a common early-winter hazard now forming statewide.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because cold air flows over and beneath them, allowing heat to escape faster than from roads connected to the ground. “Even when air temperatures are slightly above freezing, bridge decks can be icy,” the NWS said Friday.
The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) has started pre-treating major interstates including I-70, I-35, and US-54, applying brine and salt to reduce icing risks overnight. Officials urge motorists to slow down before bridges, avoid sudden braking, and maintain steady steering over icy patches. Black ice — nearly invisible in low light — remains a major cause of winter crashes on elevated roadways.
Live road and weather conditions are available at KanDrive.gov or by following @KDOTHQ for statewide alerts.
