Provided/TxDOT Houston district
TxDOT crews preparing to pre-treat roads on Jan. 22, 2026 ahead of winter weather.
Ahead of expected winter weather this weekend, transportation crews have been pre-treating many of the roads to prevent ice accumulation.
On Friday, Houston Public Works began pre-treating 41 priority locations across the city, focusing on bridges, ramps and flyovers.
“When folks wonder, ‘What are you doing to treat the streets?’ the reality is we are being very selective in what we treat,” Houston Public Works director Randy Macchi said. “And we’re going to make sure that we hit critical areas, so that first responders can get to places they need to go, that emergency access to places like hospitals and others are prioritized.”
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This morning, @HouPublicWorks began pre-treating 41 priority locations across Houston, including bridges, ramps, and flyovers.
Mayor Whitmire and HPW Director Randy Macchi urge residents to stay off icy roads as winter weather approaches. pic.twitter.com/AlKuqK90n4
— Houston Mayor’s Office (@houmayor) January 23, 2026
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) began pre-treating roads on Thursday, according to a spokesperson with the department’s Houston branch. Pre-treatment is taking place on several of the major roadways in the Houston area, including Interstate 10, I-45 and Loop 610.
TxDOT’s pre-treatment is expected to be completed on Friday, and crews “will continue to monitor and retreat as needed,” a spokesperson with TxDOT said.
TxDOT crews continued treating roadways al throughout the six-county Houston District. This convoy worked along I-10 Katy near Beltway 8 spraying surface roadways, bridges and connector ramps. We appreciate everyone giving them space to work. Pls continue to #DriveLikeATexan. pic.twitter.com/6N5e7mkq1N
— TxDOT- HOU District (@TxDOTHouston) January 23, 2026
“We always want to advise people to stay off the roads and don’t go out unless they absolutely have to,” Leo Flores, a public information officer at TxDOT, said on Hello Houston. “TxDOT crews are working very diligently, as we speak, to apply brine throughout our tier-1 and tier-2 roads, along our overpasses and bridges.”
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The latest forecast calls for rain on Friday night and Saturday, which could potentially wash away some of the pre-treatment before expected sub-freezing temperatures set in late Saturday or early Sunday.
The Harris County Toll Road authority also is pre-treating roads and bridges, which will continue “during the freeze,” a spokesperson said.
“The Toll Road Authority’s Public Safety as well as roadway and maintenance groups will patrol the system for hazardous conditions,” said Tracy Jackson, a spokesperson for HCTRA. “Any impassable HCTRA roadway will be closed until it has been deemed safe and passable.”
TxDOT road crews are using brine, a mixture of salt and water, to treat the roads. County officials across the Houston area have said they are working with TxDOT to treat roads.