Title: Why bridges freeze before roads | AccuWeather
Headings: Why do bridges freeze before roads?
News / AccuWeather Ready
Why do bridges freeze before roads?
Three reasons bridges freeze fast
1- Exposure to the elements
2- Location matters
3- C onstruction Means Everything
Driving on bridges in icy weather
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Content: Photo by Christopher Lee
Christopher Lee
2- Location matters
One of the other reasons a bridge is so quick to freeze is because of its location. Yes, they are exposed on all sides, but it’s what’s underneath that counts. Bridges cover rivers, creeks, and bodies of water in many cases. Water freezes quickly, creating cold spots. These cold spots make the bridge more prone to freeze than a roadway that doesn’t have these cold areas underneath them. Photo by Zachary Keimig
Zachary Keimig
3- C onstruction Means Everything
The last reason a bridge freezes before a roadway is because of its construction. These structures are made of metal, and metal is known as a heat conductor. There is heat within the bridge, but it’s quickly transferred to the surface where it meets the cold temperatures. If the temperature outside is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or below, then the air temperature will cause the warm air to freeze quickly, which makes ice spots on the structure. Roadways are made of asphalt and concrete, and they don’t conduct heat well.