As temperatures rise, road conditions could begin to clear

According to the National Weather Service, Friday temperatures will rise above freezing for the first time in six days, bringing with it less hazardous road conditions.

Despite sunnier skies, several roads continue to be closed due to ice and snow. Road closures include:

• US-77, both ways, from Elbin St to FM-155
• TX-45 Toll Road, both ways, from TX-1-LOOP Mopac Blvd to FM-1626
• TX-183A, both ways, from TX-45 Toll Road to San Gabriel Pkwy
• TX-71, both ways, between Presidential Blvd and TX-130 Toll Road.
• US-183, southbound, from TX-290 Toll Road to TX-71
• US-290, both ways, between US-183 and FM-734 Parmer Lane

Drive Texas has still labeled most Austin roads with icy conditions through 5 p.m. on Friday. Drivers are reminded to exercise caution on all roadways labeled hazardous, especially on ramps, bridges or elevated surfaces where ice may be slow to melt.

As many Austinites clamor to leave their homes for the first time in days, traffic is also likely to occur. Drive Texas has detected traffic on several roadways as of Friday morning, including TX-290, TX-1, TX-183 and some spots downtown.

As Austin begins to melt, city officials said in an Austin Public Works news release on Thursday that their main focus is to clear roads from ice, snow and downed tree limbs.

Since the ice storm began on Sunday, 70 crew members working 24 hours a day have worked on 196 miles of roadway, the news release states.

Friday will be a sunny contrast to previous days and should reach a high of 39 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. It appears that the record-breaking winter storm has finally left for good, and Texans can expect highs in the low 60s by Sunday.