Charlotte Secondary Streets Hit Hard By Winter Weather

CHARLOTTE, NC — While crews are working hard to keep the major roads clear, secondary streets in many Charlotte neighborhoods can be a wintry mess. That often leads to treacherous conditions, making staying in the best bet.

“Just clearing it off,” says North Charlotte resident Charles Lee. “Can’t get to the gym. It’s the next best exercise.”

The main roads through the Highland Creek neighborhood in North Charlotte get the royal treatment. The side streets, not so much.

Lee used to live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He’s shoveling, but staying in.

“After the first people to come out, it’s easy, because it’s traction,” says Lee. “After it freezes, everybody’s on their own.”

“I recognize I’m not going to be traveling a lot, so I just make some soup, and have a few beers, and sit around the house, enjoy myself,” says North Charlotte resident Shannon Clark.

Clark just drove through this winter storm system, coming back from St. Louis. He’s glad to be off the roads.

“Right now you need to slow down,” says Clark. “Just pace yourself. Stay behind the next car. Give plenty of distance, and take it easy.”

“Cars were sliding down earlier, but it seems to be cleared out pretty good now,” says Valerie Miller, who took her kids sledding in the neighborhood.

Road conditions in Charlotte neighborhoods may get worse before they get better. But there is plenty to do if driving around is not on your list.

“They’ve been sledding,” says Miller. “Getting ready to do some snowmen. And just hanging out.”

The Charlotte Department of Transportation says they target clearing major and minor thoroughfares and the majority of residential collector streets during winter storms.