VDOT News - Statewide

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Department of Transportation crews are working around-the-clock to address incoming winter weather across the Commonwealth, while continuing to clear remnants of Monday’s storm. Teams statewide are pre-treating interstates and primary and secondary roadways ahead of potential snow and stand ready with necessary equipment and adequate material and supply levels.

Accumulating snow is forecasted to impact the Commonwealth tonight, with the western and central part of the state expected to get the brunt of this storm, similar to the locations heavily impacted earlier this week. Sub-freezing temperatures are expected over the weekend, potentially causing refreeze that will create icy conditions.

Motorists in affected areas are urged to limit nonessential travel and exercise extreme caution if they must drive. Give snowplows space and time to operate. Motorists should continue to monitor changing weather and road conditions before considering travel.

Teams in central Virginia made progress overnight reaching more residential areas on low-volume and subdivisions streets, as crews worked to start clearing neighborhoods ahead of the inclement weather expected tonight.

As a reminder, interstates, primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high traffic volumes will be cleared first. Secondary and subdivision streets will be treated in the event of a multi-day storm, but crews will focus efforts on roads that are most frequently traveled.

Key reminders:

• Postpone travel as long as possible to give crews time to treat roads.
• Allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
• Do not pass snow plows.
• Keep an emergency winter weather kit in your vehicle which includes food, water, first aid materials, tools and blankets in the event of a breakdown or stoppage.
• Visit org for the latest road conditions before traveling. If possible, avoid travel until precipitation stops and road conditions improve.

For more information on winter weather travel, visit virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp.

Resources:

• To report hazardous road conditions or talk to a customer service representative, call VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or visit online at my.vdot.virginia.gov.
• VDOT recently partnered with Waze to add a new feature to the navigation software app that allows users to report, in real-time during winter weather, when a road has not been plowed. It will also inform travelers when they are approaching a road that has been identified by other drivers as unplowed.
• Traffic information is also available on Twitter @511statewideVA; for general VDOT information, follow @VaDOT.

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