A PennDOT operator loads salt into a dump truck in Butler Township on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.

Joseph Ressler

PennDOT road crews moved to 12-hour shifts from their normal eight-hour shifts to treat roads ahead of Thursday morning’s icy forecast.

A National Weather Service spokesperson said the morning freezing rain has provided somewhere between a glaze and one-tenth of an inch of ice on the roads in areas across Butler County. The temperature was just above freezing around 7 a.m. and is expected to rise to the high 40s, the spokesperson said.

They said the lingering freezing rain should stop by mid-morning.

PennDOT trucks began pre-treating roads Wednesday at noon using salt brine and combinations of salt and anti-skid solutions, according to Bruce Hartman, an assistant manager for PennDOT District 10’s Butler maintenance office.

Hartman said there were no crashes or incidents Wednesday night or early Thursday morning to his knowledge.

Trucks were out treating roads Thursday morning, and the next shift will decide if roads need treated further, Hartman said.

“We kind of leave it up to the drivers on the route because they’re the ones who see what’s going on,” he said.