Motorists in north central Pennsylvania are advised that PennDOT is treating roads today in advance of the potential freezing rain/sleet forecast for tomorrow morning.

Anti-icing trucks may be seen along the area’s major routes throughout PennDOT District 3-0’s nine-county region, which includes Columbia, Montour and Northumberland counties.

Anti-icing, as it is called, involves wetting the highway with salt brine before a storm’s arrival. The solution lowers the freezing point of water and slows or prevents ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm.

Roads to be pre-treated include Route 15, Interstate 80, Interstate 180 and other major routes in the district. The salt brine is spread from sprayers attached to the brine tank on PennDOT trucks. The trucks have signs on the backs indicating their purpose.

PennDOT reminds motorists to slow down and drive according to the conditions they encounter when winter storms hit.

PennDOT notes that the treatment isn't a silver bullet, and drivers still could encounter slick spots on the roadway; rather it gives our crews an edge at the start of winter weather.