Omaha, NE – As snow spreads across the Great Plains and temperatures plunge into the teens this season, officials are warning Nebraska drivers in Omaha, Lincoln, and Grand Island to be cautious on bridges and overpasses that are freezing faster than standard roadways.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they lose heat from both the top and bottom, while regular roads retain warmth from the ground. “Bridges can ice up even when air temperatures are only slightly below freezing,” meteorologists said Friday. “That makes black ice one of the first and most dangerous winter hazards.”
The Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) has begun pre-treating major routes including I-80, US-81, and Highway 34, applying brine and salt to elevated sections, ramps, and interchanges. Drivers are advised to slow down before bridges, avoid sudden braking, and maintain a consistent speed across icy spans.
Motorists can check real-time road and weather conditions through 511.nebraska.gov or follow @NebraskaDOT for live winter updates.
