80 In Iowa 1/16...Day After Blizzard

His pup is laid over as were 2 different UPS trailers.

On Friday, January 15th, there was a blizzard in Western Iowa. I went thru late yesterday morning. The first accident I saw was a Prime Inc truck (to differentiate from the 2 Amazon Prime trucks I saw) on the off ramp exit 83. Just past that on the east side is a rest area where there was one truck trailer + 3 different pups with no trucks around.

Between that area and where it splits with the 880, there were 29 different incidents with 42 or 44 vehicles involved. There were nine cars and Pickups, 3 pickups with DOT numbers hauling campers and the rest were single and double trailer trucks. I got to a rest area east of Des Moines, looked at the 511 app and that area was listed as emergency travel only, so I parked for the night on Friday evening.

Laura

His pup is laid over as were 2 different UPS trailers.

On Friday, January 15th, there was a blizzard in Western Iowa. I went thru late yesterday morning. The first accident I saw was a Prime Inc truck (to differentiate from the 2 Amazon Prime trucks I saw) on the off ramp exit 83. Just past that on the east side is a rest area where there was one truck trailer + 3 different pups with no trucks around.

Between that area and where it splits with the 880, there were 29 different incidents with 42 or 44 vehicles involved. There were nine cars and Pickups, 3 pickups with DOT numbers hauling campers and the rest were single and double trailer trucks. I got to a rest area east of Des Moines, looked at the 511 app and that area was listed as emergency travel only, so I parked for the night on Friday evening.

Laura

The roads look fairly clear in those pics. Any guesses as to the cause of the accidents?

The roads look fairly clear in those pics. Any guesses as to the cause of the accidents?

That area of the state had blizzard conditions for atleast 12 continuous hours with gusts up to 70 mph last I heard. Storm moved in Thursday morning as rain then switched to ice/snow. 511 app showed road conditions still as purple (travel not advised) yesterday (saturday) until early afternoon.

That area of the state had blizzard conditions for atleast 12 continuous hours with gusts up to 70 mph last I heard. Storm moved in Thursday morning as rain then switched to ice/snow. 511 app showed road conditions still as purple (travel not advised) yesterday (saturday) until early afternoon.

Rob, when I left that rest area at 1100 your time, it had changed to dry on the 511 app. Other than some areas melting causing the road to be wet, it was mainly dry and good driving.

Aggie, I did statecthey had a blizzard. I'm not sure what they use to clean the roads, but it was a good job. Wyoming needs to use what they use (some sort of chemical, maybe?)

Laura

I'm not sure what they use to clean the roads, but it was a good job.

its a salt brine. Basically they mix water and rock salt and it works much quicker. The Iowa DOT website has More information about it. If I recall correctly the only state surrounding iowa that doesn't use it is Minnesota and you can definitely tell a difference. From what I hear it is far worse for your vehicle but with how quickly the roads become safer it seems worth it.

I'm not sure what they use to clean the roads, but it was a good job.

its a salt brine. Basically they mix water and rock salt and it works much quicker. The Iowa DOT website has More information about it. If I recall correctly the only state surrounding iowa that doesn't use it is Minnesota and you can definitely tell a difference. From what I hear it is far worse for your vehicle but with how quickly the roads become safer it seems worth it.

Ohio also uses a 'pre' de icer .. with beet juice... in some counties. It's called 'Ice Bite' ..and quite interesting.

Any of y'all's states do this?!?!?

Beet Juice & Brine (?!?)

I dont think we had any drivers run to Des Moines during that. I had heard they hadn't officially closed when I got in but that probably changed.

Pretty sure Wyoming doesn’t use the salt mix because the wild life would be in the road licking salt. That’s what some locals told me.

Hi all, I came through Iowa 80 on out to Denver Thursday, Friday and the road was nasty. High winds and ice in the right lane. Too many trucks and trailers in the ditch to count. I took my time with 10,500 in the box. Got blown all over Friday and Saturday but made it safely through. Monday I'll deliver and head to California. Hope the mountains are well treated. Stay safe Steppenwolf

Just passed thru there today seen yrc still there.

Seen UPS trailer on independant tractor saw another rig past a fancy RV probably tried to avoid truck. Rv was over the side with the butt end in the air out of the ditch.

Just parked tonight at 1st welcome center in Michigan before scale. Co driver had enough of head on snow fall.

Load (light) of damn kayaks!! Going to 3 Sierra retail stores. Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor ,then Novi grrrrr By looks of each drop, looks better suited to box trucks than full size. Guy at another load we did said was cheaper using us than box trucks as they want $7,000