VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Sleet is falling in the Fredericksburg area this morning, and road conditions are starting to deteriorate as a winter storm moves into the region.

Interstate 95, primary and secondary roads in the Fredericksburg area are in minor condition, with light snow coverage and sleet. Sleet is heavy at times, and is blowing across the road. Currently, roads are clear in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, but motorists should anticipate conditions will change quickly once the wintry mix reaches these regions.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are treating state-maintained roads where the storm has begun, while others are in position to start applying sand and salt and plowing as hazardous driving conditions develop. Tree removal crews are positioned across the district to assist with debris removal. Tow trucks are on standby to quickly clear incidents along I-95. Additional VDOT Safety Service Patrols are available to respond to emergencies.

Road conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day, with a mix of potential snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice forecast to continue through late Thursday.

Icing may occur with this storm, and may lead to downed trees and utility lines in the road, especially with wet, saturated soil across the district from storms over the past week.

Motorists are urged to avoid travel until after the storm has passed. Travel is hazardous when ice and snow are covering the road.

On Wednesday, VDOT crews finished pre-treatment operations on I-95 and primary roads in the district, which can help to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement at the onset of the storm.

VDOT crews will remain mobilized until all state-maintained roads are safe for travel, and will continue to treat and plow roads around the clock in rotating shifts.

What Motorists Should Know

• Avoid travel during the storm: When roads are covered in ice and snow, travel is hazardous. Downed trees or utility lines may be in the road. Visibility may be limited.
• Check road conditions or view traffic cameras: 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.
• If motorists encounter debris or another hazard in the road, do not attempt to move it. VDOT’s Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and take reports of roadway hazards at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or 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.

Merry Point and Sunnybank Ferries

The Merry Point Ferry and Sunnybank Ferry will not operate on Thursday, Feb. 18. For real-time updates on ferry service for the remainder of the week, visit 511Virginia.

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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.