DALLAS — A winter storm system is expected to bring up to 3 to 6 inches of snow to North Texas and Dallas officials say they’re working to treat major roads, bus routes and more before the snow falls.
Dallas Director of Emergency Management and Crisis Response Kevin Oden said the city will increase staffing beginning 5 a.m. Wednesday to respond to the storm, and there will be daily updates during the storm.
“We’re closely monitoring travel conditions into the city, especially as we prepare to host fans and teams for the Cotton Bowl,” Oden said. “Our priority is ensuring safe travel for the teams and their fans visiting Dallas and the metroplex.”
Dallas Department of Transportation Director Ghassan Khankarli said the city began treating roadways and bridges Monday with brine, a salt and water mixture that prevents snow and ice from sticking, and have technicians that will monitor traffic signals during the storm.
Dallas Water Utilities Director Sarah Standifer said there are 50 trucks prepared to help with sanding major thoroughfares and there will be staff available around the clock starting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday and throughout the event.
Dallas Office of Homeless Solutions Director Christine Crossley said the city has already opened shelters at Grand Place in Fair Park Grand Place building and opened a secondary site at the old Austin Street building at 2929 Hickory St. because they’re nearing capacity in the Grand Place building.
Crossley said the department will explore the potential for another site as needed.
Dallas Sanitation Director Clifton Gillespie said their crews will assess road conditions each day to determine whether they’re able to do trash collection as normally scheduled.
Lauren Rounds, a spokesperson for the department overseeing Dallas Love Field Airport and Dallas Executive Airport, said they’ve been involved in briefings with airlines and others, and pre-treatment of the air field will happen closer to when the precipitation is expected to start. Rounds said the city has more than 40,000 gallons of de-icer available to use.
She said they’re recommending passengers arrive at least two hours before any scheduled departure time.
Dallas Animal Services Director Paul Ramon said Dallas Animal Services responded to 355 calls since Sunday as of Tuesday afternoon, of which 58 were weather-related calls. Ramon said Dallas Animal Services will have staff out 24/7 during the storm.