Travel alert issued for area of N.D. including Jamestown, Bismarck

The North Dakota Department of Transportation has issued a travel alert for northwest and central portions of North Dakota throughout the rest of the day. Conditions are such that motorists may experience icy conditions in some areas and changing temperatures may change roads to ice as conditions change throughout the day. Black ice or areas where roads may look wet but are icy may be found in some travel areas. Motorists are encouraged to reduced speeds and drive according to the conditions.

Cities affected by the travel alert include: Williston, south of Minot, Napoleon, east of Bismarck, Sterling, Jamestown and surrounding areas.

Snowplows are out implementing salt applications to help melt the ice, instead of a salt/sand mixture. Motorists may not see the salt applications, but plows operators are working hard to treat roadways.

All travelers are encouraged to monitor road conditions, reduce traffic speeds as weather conditions occur and use caution while traveling. For road information, call 511 from any type of phone or go to the website: www.dot.nd.gov.

NDDOT releases information to inform the public about travel conditions throughout the state. The three categories are as follows:

1. travel alerts are issued to alert motorists that areas of challenging winter driving conditions may be encountered on roadways. Conditions are such that motorists can still travel; however, they should be aware that rapidly changing conditions may result in travel delays due to reduced speeds and visibility.

2. No-travel advisories are issued when conditions warrant no travel but not a road closure. No-travel advisories have the potential to change to a Road Closure if conditions deteriorate. No-travel advisories are issued for public safety to encourage motorists not to venture out onto the roads. Motorists are urged to take No Travel Advisories seriously. Conditions change often during a storm event and motorists may become stranded if they are caught between destinations.

3. Roads are closed when conditions create a life-threatening danger to motorists. The roadway is impassable and it is against the law to drive past a road closure device on a closed road. Motorists should obey road closures, even when a sign or a gate is not present.

Road condition information on 511 and the travel map is updated daily from 5 a.m. until 9 p.m. The road report is based upon the information available to the NDDOT at the time of preparation and is provided solely as a public service. Conditions may vary from those reported.

Motorists who become stranded should stay with their vehicle and call 911 for emergency assistance, as wind chills are expected to drop below 30 below tonight.

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