VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER — Most roads across the southern part of Virginia Department of Transportation’s Culpeper District are reported in moderate condition, with much of the roadway surface covered by heavy snow and deep slush. VDOT and contractor crews continue to focus their work on the interstate and primary highways across that part of the district.

Snow fell at rates of 1.5 to two inches per hour for most of the morning, leaving crews continually retracing their plow routes on major roads to keep up with the rapidly accumulating snow. Up to a foot of snow fell across the district, with the highest amounts reported in Fluvanna, eastern Orange and Louisa counties. VDOT’s snow removal operations have also been hampered by thousands of fallen trees and downed power lines that must be removed to open the roads.

Interstate 64 between Charlottesville and eastern Goochland County, from Exit 124 at Pantops to mile marker 176, is open with traffic traveling in a single lane due to many fallen trees and deep snow covering sections of the highway. VDOT crews from Culpeper District are working east through the trees and debris; crews with Richmond District are making similar slow progress working west. Once the trees are removed heavy equipment is being used to clear snow from the highway.

Less snow fell in the northern part of Culpeper District, and Interstate 66 in Fauquier County is clear. The primary highways in the Warrenton area are in minor condition; mostly clear with patches of slush and snow. Secondary roads are in minor to moderate condition with snow and slush covering sections of the road surface.

Given the situation with heavy, drifting snow, high winds, power lines and fallen trees, it is likely that some secondary roads and neighborhood streets will not be plowed until Tuesday. VDOT’s crews will work through the night; day shift crews will continue operations beginning at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

VDOT continues to caution against unnecessary travel overnight and early Tuesday. Roads will remain slick even after plowing and high winds are forecast to continue into the evening, adding the risk of falling trees and other debris as well as drifting snow to the roadway hazards. Temperatures are forecast to plummet into the teens overnight, so snow, slush and water on the roads will freeze and create extremely slick, dangerous driving conditions early Tuesday morning. VDOT recommends that residents delay non-essential travel until later in the day Tuesday after more roads have been plowed and sunshine and rising temperatures have helped melt some of the ice.

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, 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

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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