PennDOT preparing for mid-week storm

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (WPVI) -- PennDOT trucks could be seen crisscrossing the area Tuesday, prepping the major roads and thoroughfares for whatever Wednesday may bring.

They brined the roads for any snow, rain, or ice coming with the storm that's expected to start in the afternoon and continue through the evening rush hour.

The brining paves the way for the grains of salt that'll ensure greater traction on the roads when the storm actually hits.

PennDOT spokesman Gene Blum explains, "Temperatures being what they are, we want to get the salt residue on the pavement so that when the snow does begin to fall it can activate the salt. And then that gives our time, when our trucks will be positioned on the road Wednesday morning or afternoon, whenever the storm comes into the region. So we'll begin spraying the granular salt at that time."

PennDOT says it has nearly 100,000 tons of salt at the ready in these parts if needed.

Salt trucks will begin gearing up at midday. This after Sunday morning's crisis that saw a sudden unpredicted ice buildup that triggered hundreds of slippery road collisions that left three motorists dead between the Schuylkill Expressway and the Blue Route.

"We had crews out salting, but the severity was well beyond what the forecast held. It was not a forecast that we would have a severe icing and a prolonged icing event during Sunday morning," Blum said.

The weather outlook for the next couple of days looks dicey in spots. So PennDOT is on alert.