The province of Valladolid has 33 snow removal machines, 7 tanks and 14 silos with the capacity to store a total of 5,700 tons of solid salt and 289,000 liters of brine, manufactured in 7 factories spread throughout the province.
All this to face the difficulties that could arise on the 736 kilometers of roads of the national network of the province, a total of 442 and 294 conventional, due to the presence of ice, snow and other adverse weather phenomena.
This was stated on Tuesday morning, November 19, by Jacinto Canales, who chaired the coordination meeting of the 2024-25 winter road campaign on the national road network of the province.
Canales recalled “the effort in terms of material, human and informational resources” and “also in terms of coordination between the different public administrations” which “is essential to guarantee the safety of everyone on the road, even in the most difficult conditions.” unfavorable”. “.
However, he wanted to add that “the individual responsibility and caution of each of us when using the car are a determining factor for road safety in this context”.
Valladolid has a total of 34 weather stations, two mobile and 32 fixed, to make weather forecasts and be able to predict actions and act if necessary.
The province also has an automatic flow spraying system on the N-601 in the municipality of Olmedo and on the A-62, in the municipality of Tordesillas.
In addition to the Highway Demarcation’s own resources, those of the companies responsible for maintenance services in each of the four conservation sectors of the province’s state roads are added.
Points of Special Attention
The forecasts of the DGT in the province of Valladolid on possible points of conflict in the event of snowfall highlight particular attention on the A-6, between Mota del Marqués and Villardefrades, with Alto de Almaraz, and between the border with the province of Ávila and Ataquines. , as well as in the variants of Tordesillas and Medina del Campo.
On the A-62, the Tordesillas variant, the western Valladolid ring road and the section between Sieteiglesias de Trabancos and Alaejos require special attention.
On the N-601, the Valladolid-Villanubla-La Mudarra-Medina de Rioseco road, as well as the section between the border of the province of Segovia and Mojados. Finally, on the N-122, the section between Quintanilla and the border with the province of Burgos.
In each of the four road maintenance sectors of Valladolid, the possible location of a forward command post has been planned, if necessary.
On the other hand, to facilitate and make more operational the implementation of traffic restrictions, Valladolid has 39 parking and vehicle bagging spaces. Vehicles whose circulation is temporarily restricted in the event of snowfall will be able to park there in an orderly manner.
Finally, the province has an emergency winter road parking lot with capacity for 200 heavy vehicles at kilometer 179 of the A-6 in Tordesillas.
Coordination
During the meeting, all the factors of the special device that the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has designed to apply from this month of November until April 2025, on the occasion of the winter season, and ensure that the State’s highway system is in the best conditions for safety and use when exposed to snow, ice, or other significant adverse weather events.
Alongside the subdelegate, who chairs this provincial coordinating body, those responsible for the demarcation of the western road, the Civil Guard – in particular the traffic sector -, the National Police, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), Civil Protection and the State Meteorological Agency. (AEMET).
Risk Levels
On the other hand, the risk levels established by the DGT are as follows:
Green level. It’s starting to snow. Caution is advised and pay attention to the weather.
Yellow level. There is snow on the road. Little coverage. You are asked to drive with caution and the circulation of trucks and articulated vehicles is prohibited.
Red level. The road is completely covered in snow. Only private cars equipped with chains or special tires can travel. Trucks, articulated vehicles and buses are prohibited from driving.
Black level. The road is impassable (very thick) and traffic is prohibited. Closed to traffic.
Recommendations
Before hitting the road, it is recommended to find out about road conditions and weather forecasts. If it is essential to travel, you should check the vehicle before getting behind the wheel, paying particular attention to the condition of its tires, the presence of antifreeze and the brakes. Drivers should make sure they have chains and a full tank, as well as a charged cell phone.
It is essential to pay attention to traffic signs and, once on the road, to drive concentrating on the road, without distractions and trying to anticipate the car’s reactions in an adverse environment. You must be particularly careful when exiting tunnels, when overtaking and crossing heavy vehicles on two-way roads, and pay attention to the possible presence of obstacles or patches of ice on the road.
In the event of getting stuck in snow, it is recommended to leave the vehicle parked on the shoulders, leaving the central part of the road clear to facilitate the passage of emergency vehicles and snow plows; try to report this and, unless the situation is untenable, wait for help.
