BATON ROUGE - Department of Transportation and Development crews are working to pre-treat roads across Louisiana before wintry weather that is expected in the capital area Tuesday. 

DOTD poured nearly 10 million pounds of salt and 125,000 gallons of brine onto state bridges, overpasses and other roadways to treat them ahead of expected snowfall. In addition to pre-treatment, DOTD has also highlighted its priority routes statewide that will remain open during the weather.

"Other non-priority routes will be kept open as resources and weather conditions permit, but have a higher likelihood of requiring closure due to dangerous conditions," DOTD said Monday.

Officials from Arkansas helped in the preparations, DOTD said. Louisiana's northern neighbors are better equipped for handing winter weather situations on its roadways and they sent a significant quantity of personnel and equipment to assist DOTD in pretreating Louisiana’s state highways. 

Drivers should avoid being on the roadways if travel is not absolutely necessary, DOTD said, noting that they should be extra vigilant to drive slowly and carefully, as well as avoiding using cruise control, driving while distracted and remembering to reduce speeds when visibility is low.

To see the Storm Station forecast, click here.