The Lone Star State is bracing for a winter storm that is expected to disrupt travel plans for the thousands of football fans heading to Arlington for the Cotton Bowl this Friday. Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has issued travel advice to spectators, urging caution on the icy roads that await them on their journey. "Obviously, if you have a ticket, if you are going to the game," Adam Hammons, TxDOT’s Media Relations Director told CBS Austin, "Give yourself plenty of time to get up to where you're going, but also check the road conditions before you get out the door."
Indeed, the weather forecasts paint a bleak picture, with snow and a wintry mix anticipated to hit North Texas on Thursday, potentially leading into Friday morning. The impending inclement weather could pose significant hurdles for the fans traveling from Austin to Arlington. Hammons suggests checking drivetexas.org, a resource where people can find real-time road conditions, closures, and icy patches. "It's a really, really good resource that we have where you can see road conditions throughout the entire state," Hammons, says.
Preparation to combat the icy conditions is already underway. City officials in Arlington are treating the roads and bridges with a brine solution. "Our goal is to do what we can to keep people safe coming in and out to the Cotton Bowl Friday make sure everybody gets in safely and everybody gets out safely," DJ Ryals, Arlington’s field operations supervisor, explained in a statement provided by FOX 4 News. Local emergency response teams are also gearing up; some vehicles are now equipped with tire snow chains and a heightened safety awareness for the winter storm, as per a statement from Arlington Fire Lt. Adam Evans in the same report.
Travel advice from AAA Texas adds another layer of caution. Spokesperson Daniel Armbruster advised against tailgating, recommending that "Normal following distances of three to four seconds on dry pavement should be extended to a minimum of five to six seconds when you're driving on icy roads." Further, drivers are warned not to slam on the brakes on icy or snowy roads, as this could cause the vehicle to lose control, Armbruster added. While the weather is expected to clear up by Friday's kickoff, temperatures are forecast to drop back below freezing on Friday night, adding to the potential travel complexities.
Despite the challenges posed by nature, the game at the AT&T Stadium is expected to proceed as planned. The stadium, renowned for its retractable roof, will shelter fans and players from the lingering cold. AT&T Stadium became the chosen venue for the Cotton Bowl Classic in 2010, which was previously hosted at the Texas State Fair Grounds, partly due to its modern facilities capable of mitigating inclement weather.
