Burlington, VT – With early snow and subfreezing temperatures spreading across Vermont, officials are urging drivers in Burlington, Montpelier, and Rutland to use extra caution as bridges and overpasses ice over before regular roads.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they lack ground insulation. Cold air circulates both above and below the structure, pulling heat away from the bridge surface. This makes even treated bridges more prone to freezing when temperatures fall near or below 32°F.
The NWS also cautions that freezing is not always uniform. “One section of a bridge may remain wet while another patch, especially shaded or wind-exposed, can become icy in seconds,” meteorologists explained Friday. That uneven freeze pattern makes driving particularly risky when snow showers or freezing drizzle are present.
Transportation crews across Vermont are already pre-treating high-risk areas along I-89, Route 7, and Route 4, as the state braces for additional snow through the weekend. Motorists are urged to slow down before bridges, avoid sudden braking, and leave extra space between vehicles.
Even a thin layer of black ice can make bridges treacherous, especially during early morning and late-night travel hours when visibility is low and surfaces appear merely wet.
Drivers can check up-to-date conditions through 511VT.gov or local weather alerts before heading out this weekend.
