For most of the year in East Texas, it's warm enough for TxDOT and its contractors to apply hot mix and seal coats to help build and maintain the roadways. But once the weather cools, and overnight temperatures drop into the 30s, it's time for what's called "extraordinary maintenance."

Extraordinary maintenance refers to such operations as plowing snow, applying de-icing agents on the roadways and removing downed trees from the highways.

Preparations for extraordinary maintenance operations usually begin during the first week of November, with crews testing deicing equipment, stockpiling de-icing agents, and going over vehicle maintenance checklists.

"Our dump trucks are among our most flexible pieces of heavy equipment," said TxDOT public information officer Larry Krantz. "During the warmer months, you name it, they haul it. During the winter, we drop a spreader box in the dump bed and use the trucks to treat our roadways with de-icing agents. Their hauling capacity helps them stay out for hours at a time without needing to reload."

Extraordinary maintenance is also "extraordinary" because of the risks involved for the personnel performing the tasks.

"Under ideal conditions in warmer weather, we can plan our work locations and have lots of signs and flaggers to help draw attention to our work zones," Krantz said. "But once we're dealing with widespread icing, downed trees, and high water, things we have no control over, our job is to get the roadway open and traffic flowing.

"And it seems like most of the time, we're doing those things at night." Krantz added that, in particular, work on Interstate 20 is the most difficult and dangerous both for its high speeds and numerous bridge and overpass structures that require de-icing treatments.

"For some reason, some people don't slow down when the weather starts affecting driving conditions," he said. "Wet pavement conditions with reduced visibility and freezing temperatures can be a deadly combination without adding TxDOT personnel and equipment to the equation."

While the Tyler District hasn't had a worker killed in the line of duty in its recent history, three TxDOT workers around the state were killed in just a few months before, during, and immediately after hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

"Obviously that's three too many," Krantz said. "These men dedicated their life's work to keeping traffic moving on Texas highways. It's more than a little ironic that it's that same traffic that killed them."

Krantz offered a few tips for staying safe on the highways this holiday season:

* Don't drink and drive. Designate a sober driver, call a cab or spend the night;

* Wear your seatbelt, and make sure your passengers do, too;

* Avoid driving at night if possible, especially in bad weather;

* Be aware that bridges and overpasses will be the first to freeze and possibly ice over in cold weather.

* Drive defensively and according to the conditions on the road —wrecks happen quickly, and sometimes more quickly than you can react if one happens in front of you.

* Finally, be on the lookout for TxDOT treating the roadways, and keep a safe distance behind de-icing convoys.

TxDOT plans resurfacing work on FM 317 east of Athens

ATHENS - Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to begin resurfacing parts of FM 317 east of Athens this week, weather permitting. The resurfacing effort will take place over the coming weeks in various locations between Athens and FM 314 south of Brownsboro. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Motorists should seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.

TxDOT plans edge repairs on Spur 364

SMITH COUNTY — Weather permitting, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled this week to perform edge repairs along Spur 364 between SSW Loop 323 in Tyler and SH 31 west of Tyler. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress. Traffic will be controlled by flaggers. Also in Smith County, TxDOT maintenance forces are scheduled to remove tree debris remaining from Hurricane Ike from various locations along the FM 2767 right of way. Daytime lane closures are possible for that work as well.

TxDOT continues edge repairs in Anderson County

ANDERSON COUNTY Weater permitting, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to perform pavement-edge repairs this week in various locations along SH 19 north of Palestine, FM 1817 east of Elkhart, and SH 294. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress.

TxDOT continues work on FM 1255

VAN ZANDT COUNTY - Weather permitting, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to continue work this week on FM 1255 between FM 1652 and FM 773. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas.

TxDOT continues overlay work on SH 37

WOOD COUNTY - Weather permitting, Texas Department of Transportation maintenance crews are scheduled to continue overlay work on SH 37 south of Winnsboro this week, as well as repairing pavement edges and shoulders in various locations along FM 14 and FM 778. Daytime lane closures will be in effect while the work is in progress, and flaggers will control traffic in two-lane areas. Motorists are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible to avoid delays.