VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER —The Virginia Department of Transportation has preparations well under way for the winter storm that is forecast to affect much of Virginia over the weekend.

Crews in VDOT’s Culpeper District began applying brine to Interstate 66, I-64 and major highways yesterday and plan to complete those operations this afternoon. That salt solution evaporates after application but the salt residue aids in melting the snow once the storm begins. Crews and contractors are also preparing snowplows and other equipment used in snow removal operations.

VDOT is urging residents and travelers to pay close attention to weather forecasts and road condition reports since conditions may vary greatly within a relatively short distance. VDOT also recommends postponing travel during the storm. Those who must be on the road should reduce speed, increase following distance and use VDOT’s free 511 tools to find out about road conditions along the route.

VDOT crews in the Culpeper District will report for duty early Saturday morning. Snowplows will spread a mix of sand and salt to improve traction and help melt the precipitation as it falls. Once snow accumulates to about two inches, the plows will begin pushing the slushy mix off the roadways. VDOT crews will work around the clock to clear roads, beginning with interstates and primary highways, then shifting to secondary roads and neighborhoods once the main roads are passable. VDOT’s goal is to make all roads passable within 48 hours after precipitation ends.

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: http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow_emergency_pages/culpeper_emergency.asp.

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

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