Raleigh, NC – As snow and freezing rain move into parts of North Carolina this season, transportation officials are warning drivers in Raleigh, Charlotte, and Asheville to be alert for icy bridges and overpasses forming ahead of main roadways.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they are exposed to cold air on both sides, allowing heat to escape quickly. Ground-level roads retain warmth from the earth, but bridges cool rapidly — sometimes enough to create invisible black ice even when air temperatures hover slightly above freezing.
“Bridges are often the first spots to freeze and the last to thaw,” the NWS said Friday. “A stretch of clear pavement can instantly turn slick once you hit an overpass.”
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is pre-treating key corridors including I-40, I-85, and I-26, focusing on mountain passes, elevated ramps, and highway interchanges. Crews will continue brining and monitoring bridge surfaces through the weekend as snow showers spread eastward.
Officials advise drivers to slow down before bridges, maintain steady speed across icy spans, and avoid hard braking or quick lane changes. Even light frost or sleet can reduce traction enough to cause skids and spinouts.
Motorists can check live road and weather updates at DriveNC.gov or follow @NCDOT for statewide alerts.
