Area prepares for icy a.m. commute

Departments of transportation are preparing for a light snow that may make the roads slick for the morning commute.

The Post's Capital Weather Gang says there's a 40 percent chance of snow showers after 1 a.m., mainly north and northeast of the District.

The Virginia Department of Transportation said its crews were ready. Susan Hubbard, a spokeswoman for the the Prince George's County Department of Public Works and Transportation, said snow crews have been notified to report to work at 3 a.m. to pretreat roadways before the morning rush hour. Residents were being asked to remove vehicles from snow emergency routes and to park in driveways or other locations off of roads.

District crews rolled out by 3 a.m., with 170 trucks fanning across the city. Officials with the city's snow team said brine has already been sprayed on bridges, overpasses and other structures that may ice.

"We want motorists to slow down during the morning commute because there may be icy patches on the roadways," said D.C. Department of Public Works Director William O. Howland Jr.

D.C. officials also urged residents and business owners to treat sidewalks to assist pedestrians as they walk to school and work Friday morning.