TxDOT, legislation enforcement extremely discouraging journey on I-20 because of icy climate | Information

Texas Department of Transportation and law enforcement officials advise against traveling on Interstate 20 due to freezing conditions and safe traffic throughout the freeway.

A travel advisory from TxDOT Tyler District spokeswoman Kathi White said the icy I-20 was passable but posed major problems for drivers. The crews kept sounding and handling the freeway.

“For safety reasons, the persistent ice conditions require motorists to stay away from I-20 and other roads,” said White. “Freezing temperatures continue to create unsafe conditions that make travel treacherous and terrible to drive.”

The soldiers of the Texas Department of Public Security respond to crashes and slide in both directions east and west.

Eastbound traffic crawls from 14 Farm-to-Market Road in Smith County to the Gregg County line. The westbound lanes through Gregg, Smith and Van Zandt are currently flowing, but traffic will be diverted to the ramps at Mile Marker 579 (Joy-Wright Mountain Road) and then back to I-20 due to an accident, White said.

For those near the Louisiana border, Louisiana State Police closed I-20 east to Louisiana because it was iced over roads and wrecks, the Harrison County Sheriff’s Office said Friday. Traffic safety is good in Harrison County.

MPs, DPS and Texas Parks and Wildlife Game Wardens will assist on the area’s roads, answering calls for help in the event of accidents and checking stranded motorists. The roads are very muddy and freeze, creating a very uneven surface. The ice will actually cause you to lose traction and control, the sheriff’s office said.

“While this has been a real test of our resources in the area, our community is our most precious resource. Please don’t take any risks out on the streets,” said Harrison County Sheriff BJ Fletcher. “Be safe and stay inside where it’s warm. Stay away from the ice on ponds. A little boy was rescued in Jefferson yesterday after going out onto what he thought was a frozen pond. The ice gave, and so did he rushed in. Fortunately, he was rescued by another person who saw him and called for help. “