VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews were plowing fresh snow overnight as an additional round of snow fell across the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

After lighter snowfall during the initial part of the weekend storm, many primary roads in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula are now in moderate condition. VDOT crews made progress overnight, but with several additional inches of snow accumulation in some locations, many roads in these areas are partially covered in snow.

This morning, road conditions districtwide may be icy as temperatures dropped overnight, freezing any remaining moisture on the travel surface.

While the storm has ended, motorists should plan to adjust their travel based on conditions in their area. Snow coverage and road conditions vary across the 14-county district. Check 511Virginia for real-time road conditions along your planned route. Consider delaying unnecessary travel this morning until road conditions improve.

If travel is essential, plan to use caution and allow extra travel time. Reduce your vehicle speed, and leave extra space between vehicles, especially emergency vehicles. For example, if you encounter a group of plow trucks working in a close pattern, do not try to pass through them. Remaining behind the plows allows operators to remove snow and apply sand and salt to improve your ride, and it is the safest choice for motorists and the plow operators.

Fredericksburg Area

Interstate 95, primary roads and high-volume secondary roads in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties are in minor condition, with visible pavement and open travel lanes, and isolated areas of snow and ice coverage. However, even on treated surfaces, roads may still be icy.

Subdivision streets and lower-volume secondary roads are in moderate condition, with roads partially covered with snow.

Northern Neck

All primary roads in King George, Westmoreland, Richmond, Northumberland and Lancaster counties are in moderate condition, with partial snow coverage of travel lanes. Secondary roads are also in moderate condition.

Middle Peninsula

Primary roads in Gloucester, Middlesex and King William counties are in minor condition, with isolated slick areas. Primary roads in Essex and King and Queen counties are in moderate condition, with partial snow coverage. Roads are clear but wet in Mathews County.

Secondary roads in Essex and Middlesex counties are in severe condition and are completely snow-covered. In King William and King and Queen counties, secondary roads are in moderate condition with partial snow coverage. Secondary roads have isolated snow coverage in Gloucester.

What Residents Should Know

• While the storm has ended, motorists should plan to adjust travel based on road conditions in their area. Consider delaying unnecessary travel.
• If travel is essential, plan to allow extra travel time and reduce your vehicle speed. Increase following distance between vehicles.
• Clean snow and ice from your vehicle before starting a trip. This will improve your visibility of the road ahead, and it will prevent snow and ice from becoming a flying debris hazard for other travelers.
• Remember to move over and slow down for stopped vehicles with flashing, blinking or alternating blue, red or amber lights.
• Our goal is to have all roads passable 48 hours after the storm’s end. With snowfall ending late Sunday, this means VDOT will strive to have all roads plowed and passable by Tuesday evening.
• Shoveling a driveway? Remember to shovel to the right while facing the street. This will reduce the amount of double work that may be required after a snowplow makes a pass along your street.
• If possible, please park vehicles in driveways. This will assist our crews as they seek to remove as much snow as possible from roads and cul-de-sacs.
• Be alert for tree debris in the roadway as snow weighs down trees and tree limbs. Report any downed trees or other hazards in the road to VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

Online Snowplow Tracker

VDOT’s online snowplow tracker at vdotplows.org has been activated in Fredericksburg District where 2 inches of snow has accumulated.

Residents can enter their address to see the status of snow plowing in their neighborhood.

511Virginia

Check 511Virginia for real-time road conditions statewide.

Motorists can download the free mobile 511 app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, visit www.511virginia.org, or reach 511Virginia by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.

VDOT Customer Service Center

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

Additional VDOT Information Sources

• Find VDOT Fredericksburg District news releases online on VDOT’s website, www.VirginiaDOT.org, under “Newsroom.”
• Follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOT and @VaDOTFRED
• Connect with us on Facebook on our VDOT page, and VDOT Fredericksburg District group page.

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VDOT’s 14-county Fredericksburg District includes the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.