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INDOT prepares for second night of dangerous road conditions

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The Indiana Department of Transportation is preparing for a second night of dangerous road conditions.

A spokesperson for INDOT told 24-Hour News 8 crews have been working to treat the interstate as the temperatures begin to drop. 

The freezing rain from Friday night caused icy roads for many drivers on the interstate. Drivers were stranded for hours on I-70. Traffic was backed up for miles because of slide offs and crashes. 

Indiana State Police responded to more than 500 crashes overnight, including two fatalities in Marion County. 

ISP and INDOT are urging people to stay home if you don’t have to be out driving. If you have to drive then give yourself a lot of time and space on the road. 

INDOT said it has more than 700 salt trucks treating the roads statewide and more drivers are coming in at midnight. 

“Last night the pavement was dry and cold from the cold temperatures that we had the last few days. The rain that was coming down was essentially freezing on contact with the surface,” said Nathan Riggs, spokesperson for INDOT. “We got moisture on the pavement tonight which will help dissolve the rock salt that we’re spreading on the road.”

Troopers said if you want to make sure you have an emergency kit in your car. You want to have a full tank of gas, make sure your cell phone is fully charged, a shovel, extra clothing, blankets, and snacks just in case if you do get stuck.