VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER — Interstates and major highways in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Culpeper District are wet with some isolated patches of snow and sleet on the road surface, but many secondary roads and neighborhood streets are still icy with packed snow and sleet on the road surface. Freezing drizzle that fell overnight in some areas has added to the slick conditions.

VDOT and contract snowplow operators have worked all night to plow secondary roads (numbered 600 and above) and neighborhood streets. They are also treating the roads with sand and salt to help melt the snow and improve traction.

VDOT is urging the public to delay non-essential travel until later on Friday when temperatures rise above freezing. Those who must venture out early Friday will likely encounter patches of black ice even on major highways. Bridges, turn lanes, entrance and exit ramps and crossovers are the most likely places where water on the road surface has frozen overnight.

Those who must travel should:

• Clear your vehicle of all snow and ice including the roof
• Give plows room to work. Stay back from VDOT trucks and contract crews
• Drive for the conditions by reducing speed and increasing following distance
• Brake gently. Remember, it takes longer to stop in snow and ice
• Stay in control. Make smooth, precise movements with the steering wheel and anticipate lane changes, turns, and curves well in advance
• Use VDOT’sfree 511 tools to check road conditions along your route and at your destination

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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