VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – With temperatures expected to drop overnight into the single-digits in portions of Fredericksburg District, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews will remain mobilized overnight to patrol and treat roads for anticipated refreezing of wet pavement on cleared roads, creating potentially icy conditions this evening and Saturday morning.

Crews will treat for potentially icy conditions throughout the evening with dedicated equipment focused solely on Interstate 95. Eighteen trucks will spread treatment materials along I-95, with additional monitors observing for hazardous conditions. Crews will also monitor and treat for icy conditions overnight throughout the Fredericksburg region, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

Motorists are urged to use caution if traveling. Although roads may appear clear, a thin layer of transparent ice may be present. Bridges, overpasses and ramps are more likely to develop ice because they are elevated and have lower surface temperatures.

Today, VDOT crews were focused on reaching additional subdivision streets and low-volume secondary routes with snowplows in the Fredericksburg area, and removing snow from turn lanes, crossovers, and shoulders along primary and secondary roads.

Emergency response continues 24 hours a day into this weekend, and crews will remain mobilized until all routes are passable and safe for travel.

Crews remain mobilized to continue plowing in residential areas where roads are not yet passable, and continue to remove downed trees and debris on closed roads, assisted by tree contractor, and in coordination with utility crews where utility lines are blocking travel lanes.

Around several dozen secondary roads remain closed, with the largest number of affected routes in Stafford and Spotsylvania counties. Motorists should remain alert for potential debris and hazards in the road, as trees continue to fall following the winter storm on Jan. 3 and Jan. 6-7.

Key reminders:

• With temperatures below freezing overnight, drivers should use additional caution on bridges, ramps and overpasses where there may be icy patches or slick spots.
• Motorists should plan to reduce speed
• Wear a seat belt
• Increase following distance and braking distance
• Sidewalks and parking lots could be slippery, so walk with caution

Ferry Service

In the Northern Neck, the Merry Point Ferry in Lancaster County and Sunnybank Ferry in Northumberland County will resume service during normally scheduled Saturday hours of operation.

511Virginia

Call 511, visit www.511Virginia.org, or use VDOT’s 511Virginia free mobile app to find real-time road conditions in any area of the state.

VDOT Customer Service Center

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.
Additional Information

Follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOT and @VaDOTFRED
Connect with us on Facebook on our VDOT page, and VDOT Fredericksburg District group page.
Find VDOT Fredericksburg District news releases online on VDOT’s website, www.VirginiaDOT.org, under “Newsroom.”

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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.