VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER — Many major highways across Piedmont Virginia are in clear to minor condition this morning, with most of the surface clear and wet but patches of snow and slush. Secondary roads are largely snow covered at this hour as Virginia Department of Transportation crews are shifting their efforts from primary highways onto the local routes.

Despite their appearance, VDOT is advising to delay non-essential travel early this morning. With temperatures below freezing and water on many roads, black ice is likely in many locations. Motorists should use particular caution on bridges and overpasses, turn lanes, crossovers and intersections where ice is most likely to form.  

VDOT completed preparations for the storm yesterday, including applying brine on Interstate 64, I-66 and other high-volume roads. Crews will continue to work around the clock to plow and clear snow until all roads are passable. VDOT concentrates snow removal operations first on interstate highways, primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high traffic volumes. Secondary roads and subdivision streets will be plowed once the major roadways are passable and safe for traffic.

Meanwhile, specialty debris removal crews working with snow plows, heavy equipment and in coordination with utility companies are continuing to open secondary roads closed by fallen trees during Monday’s storm, many of which have utility lines tangled in them.

If you must drive:

• Postpone travel as long as possible to give crews time to treat roads
• Before you leave, check road conditions and traffic cameras along your route on VDOT’s traffic and travel web site, www.511Virginia.org
• Allow plenty of time to reach your destination
• Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you
• Brake very lightly to keep your tires from slipping on pavement
• Do not pass snowplows

Falling temperatures Friday night will result in refreezing and slick roads early Saturday morning. Any slush or water on the roads, even those that have been plowed, will freeze again and will remain slick until temperatures rise above freezing.

VDOT’s Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and take reports of roadway hazards. Call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or contact us online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.

Additional information about winter-weather preparations and response can be found at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. Local updates are posted to Twitter.com/VaDOTCulp and the district’s snow emergency webpage.

The Culpeper District includes the counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock.

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