VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are mobilized and in position to treat and clear state-maintained roads this morning with a winter storm expected to bring accumulating snow to the Fredericksburg District.

Rain is currently falling in the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Roads are clear, but conditions may quickly deteriorate once snowfall begins.

Avoid travel during the storm. Snow may be covering a portion or all of the road surface, making travel hazardous. Visibility may be limited. Travelers should delay any unnecessary travel until after the storm has ended and road conditions have improved.

VDOT crews start to plow roads once 2 inches of snow has fallen. Crews will focus their efforts first on clearing and treating roads that carry the most traffic. Leading priorities for snow removal include I-95 and primary roads, and secondary roads that carry heavy traffic or connect with critical public safety and emergency services. Once conditions improve on priority routes, crews focus next on subdivision streets and lower-volume secondary roads.

VDOT crews will work around the clock until all state-maintained roads are safe for travel, with up to 1,200 pieces of equipment available in Fredericksburg District.

Winter Weather Tips and Resources

• Postpone unnecessary travel until after the storm
• Give VDOT crews space to work. Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind trucks and other equipment that are plowing or treating the road. Do not pass a snowplow or spreader.
• Snowplow status updates: VDOT Fredericksburg District has activated its online snow plow tracker map at vdotplows.org. All VDOT-owned and contracted plows are equipped with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), allowing them to be monitored on the snowplow tracker.
• Street parking: Residents can help by parking vehicles in driveways or as far onto the road shoulder as they can. This provides the most space for snowplows to completely remove snow from the travel lanes on passes through a neighborhood.
• Check road conditions where you live: Call 511, visit www.511virginia.org or download the free mobile 511Virginia app to see real-time road conditions around the state, and view traffic cameras.

Road Condition Definitions

During winter storms, road conditions are present on 511Virginia using three ratings: minor, moderate and severe. These terms are defined as the following:

Minor: Potential for patches of ice and snow on roadway; Passable with caution.

Moderate: Snow or ice is covering major portions of the roadway; Passable with caution.

Severe: A significant accumulation of snow or ice is blocking the roadway; Conditions are hazardous.

VDOT Customer Service Center

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

Social Media

Follow VDOT on Twitter at @VaDOT and VDOT Fredericksburg District at @VaDOTFRED.

On Facebook, visit VDOT’s statewide page or join the VDOT Fredericksburg District group.

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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.