Winter Storm: Alpharetta, Milton Battle Icy Road Conditions

ALPHARETTA-MILTON, GA -- Public works crews in Alpharetta and Milton continue to burn the midnight oil to make sure priority thoroughfares remain safe for passage in the event of an emergency.

However, both cities said the main concern for the rest of the weekend will be low temperatures that could make it hard for many roads and bridges to thaw out.

Milton city spokesperson Shannon Ferguson said the "slushy mix," low temperatures and gusty winds "have made our efforts a bit more challenging."

"Milton was fortunate in that we mostly had spin outs and cars off the roads rather than multi-car accidents," she added. "We did lose one fire hydrant to a motorist who went off the road."

Alpharetta spokesperson James Drinkard noted the sun help crews "considerably" Saturday afternoon, but ice does remain an issue in shaded areas of the city.

"Those and low lying locations will be an issue as the sun and temperatures drop tonight and things refreeze," he stated Saturday. "We continue to encourage motorists to remain off the roads. Those who do venture out need to plan to be off the road by sunset. Our road crews will continue to battle the icy locations, but our main concern will be road conditions on Monday morning."

Alpharetta police responded to 11 traffic accidents between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 p.m. Saturday, said Department of Public Safety spokesperson George Gordon.

"There were no serious injuries, as it appears motorists greatly heeded the warnings and stayed off the roadways," he added.

In Milton, a section of S.R. 372 north of New Bull Pen Road has been closed by public safety personnel due to icy conditions.

The Georgia Department of Transportation has been notified for assistance, since it's a state route, Ferguson added.

"We continue to work our primary and secondary routes," she said Saturday. "Roadways with heavier traffic and greater sun exposure have fared better today than others. Those areas with little to no sunlight today, along with subdivision roads, will be more treacherous."

The National Weather Service issued a Winter Storm Warning that officially lasted until 1 p.m. Saturday.
By Saturday morning, the warning's focus had moved from snow to black ice on the roads, dangerously cold winds and downed trees and limbs caused by heavy and sustained icing.

"We're out there on the roads and, if you don't have to travel, please avoid any unnecessary travel on our roads as we're trying to be out there clearing what did stick and what's remaining today," GDOT spokeswoman Katie Strickland said in a video statement Saturday morning.

With winds gusting above 30 m.p.h., the weather service also issued a Wind Chill Advisory for Saturday.

Exposure to a combination of low temperatures and high winds "will result in frost bite and lead to hypothermia if precautions are not taken," the NWS said in the advisory. "If you must venture outdoors, make sure you wear a hat and gloves."