Heavy snowfall disrupted key travel routes across multiple southern U.S. states last week, restricting carriers’ operations.
The unusual, prolonged weather conditions tore across highways in cities such as New Orleans and Houston, closing sections of major corridors, including parts of I-10 in Louisiana and Texas.
Authorities closed dangerous roadways due to lack of typical snow-removal equipment, black ice and falling overnight temperatures. Officials urged drivers to hold off from traveling, noting remediation efforts and weather would work in their favor as the week progressed.
TxDOT crews are hard at work removing snow from roadways, like over the Rainbow Bridge today. Road conditions can change rapidly. Visit https://t.co/nsB9tyqSV4 for the latest updates. #KnowBeforeYouGo #BeSafeDriveSmart pic.twitter.com/NX4cxCVhzD
— TxDOT-Beaumont (@TxDOTBeaumont) January 21, 2025
“A lot of my drivers were down there,” Prime Inc. refrigerated fleet manager Bron Beck said at a company safety meeting Friday. “They did it safely. They did it on time.”
While the severe weather was familiar to Prime drivers, it was unusual for many southern communities, Beck noted. That meant many customer employees were not present at locations, which delayed drivers from unloading.
TForce Freight halted service in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Stoppages affected multiple locations across Texas and Alabama for part of the week, too.
The prolonged freezing conditions affected much of the continent, and TForce’s broad service disruptions also included parts of the Northeast, various areas in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia, and some spots in Canada.
????I-310 #lawx
— Louisiana DOTD (@La_DOTD) January 23, 2025
Crews will continue to monitor and treat state bridges and roadways.
For the latest travel updates, visit https://t.co/XMr3BW6Fr6 pic.twitter.com/qMzMFEUXgR
DAT's Market Conditions Index on Friday showed outbound markets along the Gulf Coast as "neutral" in terms of demand for dry van capacity, except for Houston, the firm told Trucking Dive in an email.
Houston’s reefer ratio for the same period was considered “moderately tight” at 11.5.
While several roads reopened as conditions improved, Louisiana State Police reported some interstate closings amid hazardous, freezing conditions Saturday.
Mixed precipitation is slated to hit several southwestern U.S. states early this week, and the Great Lakes, Northeast and Midwest could see more snow and cold this week as another front moves in from Canada, according to AccuWeather.
