Snow, ice-covered secondary roads still a problem in parts of Wake, Durham counties

The Wake County Public School System operated on a three-hour delay Tuesday, and for students at Leesville Road High School, it was slow going as roads near campus were covered in ice and snow.

Less than 7 miles away, buses at Carroll Middle School did not have a problem navigating spotless pavement.

"It's been a lot of work and preparation to make sure the school is safe and prepared to bring back faculty, staff and students," said Principal Elizabeth MacWilliams. “We're just excited to be here.”

Lisa Luten, Wake school district spokeswoman, said school officials assessed the bus routes early Tuesday morning and decided it was safe for students.

"It's hard to keep the kids out of school, and we know that has a huge impact on parents and families," Luten said. "So, when we are able to have the kids in school learning, that is what we prefer to do."

Durham Public Schools remained closed Tuesday while crews continued to clear snow and ice-covered streets.

Stewart Walker owns a Wholistic Center on Hackberry Lane in Durham. The private road remained covered in ice and snow.

"It is total ice," he said. "It is only because I have four-wheel drive that I can make it at all."

Walker said he is thankful that his business sits at the end of the road, near a main street that was cleared - making access easy for his clients.

"Sometimes that road stays snowy, but this time, they hopped right on it," he said.

In Bahama, Jonathon Allegretti's family was still dealing with treacherous roads.

"We live out in the middle of the sticks," he said. "No one touches the back roads out here really."

Allegretti said that did not stop him from venturing out Friday night in his sedan when fresh snow and ice covered the streets.

"It's not a snowmobile. It's like driving a go-cart on top of a frozen lake," he said. "Typically, if we get snow out here, we are stuck. That is pretty much until the snow goes away."

Durham Public Schools will operate on a two-hour delay on Wednesday.