Roads cleared on a tiered plan

The Madill Record By Charles White February 9, 2026

When severe freezing weather and snow descend on Oklahoma, the response that unfolds on highways and county roads is anything but random. Behind each plowed lane and treated bridge is a carefully structured priority system designed to keep the state moving, protect emergency access and limit economic disruption during winter storms.

At the state level, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation follows a tiered approach when snow andicearrive.Interstatesand major U.S. highways are the first focus, as they carry the highest traffic volumes and serve as primary corridors for emergency services, freight and medical transport.

These routes are often pretreated with salt brine before precipitation begins, a step that can reduce ice bonding andspeedlaterremoval.Once those arteries are stabilized, crews shift attention to state highways that connect rural communities to larger population centers.

Only after these priorities are addressed do secondary routes receive full attention, depending on available equipment, staffing and the duration of the storm. That order has a noticeable impact on rural areas such as Marshall County.

Withnointerstaterunning through the county, residents often see a delay before all roads are fully cleared, especially during prolonged or widespread events. State highways like U.S. 70 are typically treated early, while farm-to-market roads and low-traffic county routes may remain slick longer.

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