VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Cold front moving into the Fredericksburg area tomorrow morning, Friday, Dec. 23, will bring below freezing temperatures and high winds. Motorists planning to travel are advised to adjust their travel time based on road and weather conditions along their route. Roads may be more severe based on forecasts north and west of the Fredericksburg area, especially the I-81 corridor.

Rain is anticipated to continue in the Fredericksburg area overnight before the cold front moves into the area tomorrow.

Air temperatures are expected to fall below freezing in the morning hours, which may cause any wet pavement to flash freeze throughout the day and night as pavement temperatures grow colder. This may cause slick, hazardous road conditions. Icy conditions may occur first on bridges, overpasses, ramps, elevated surfaces and in shaded areas.

High winds, with gusts surpassing 40 mph, are expected to start tomorrow morning, Friday, Dec. 23. Crews will monitor wind speeds at the bridges in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Crews will also monitor for downed trees and debris on state-maintained roads.

Travelers should check 511Virginia for updates. High wind advisories may be posted for the bridges. When a high wind advisory is posted at a bridge, high-profile vehicles such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, large vans, and SUVs are advised not to cross the bridge. Trucks carrying small or empty loads may be especially at risk.

High Winds Protocol for Major Bridges, Fredericksburg District

Through Saturday morning, Dec. 24, VDOT will be closely monitoring wind speeds at major river crossings in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, including:

• Eltham Bridge, which carries Route 30/33 over the Pamunkey River between the Town of West Point and New Kent County
• Norris Bridge, which carries Route 3 over the Rappahannock River between Lancaster and Middlesex counties
• Downing Bridge, which carries Route 360 over the Rappahannock River between Richmond County and the Town of Tappahannock
• Route 223 bridge over Milford Haven, which connects mainland Mathews County with Gwynn's Island
• Lord Delaware Bridge, which carries Route 33 over the Mattaponi River and connects the Town of West Point and King and Queen County

If sustained winds reach 30 mph over a period of 30 minutes, or there are frequent wind gusts of 45 mph or greater, VDOT will post a high winds advisory notice on these bridges.

When sustained winds reach 45 mph or above over a period of 15 minutes, VDOT crews will post a bridge closure notice. However, bridges will not be physically barricaded.

Notices will be posted on message boards staged at the bridges, and communicated through VDOT news releases, VDOT social media platforms, and on 511Virginia.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews will be mobilizing in emergency operations tonight at midnight along Interstate 95 and across the Fredericksburg area to be in position ahead of the below freezing temperatures and high winds. Crews will circulate tonight through Saturday morning to monitor road conditions and treat roads with sand and salt as needed for icy or slippery surfaces that develop. Crews will also monitor state-maintained roads for downed trees and debris.

VDOT’s Customer Service Center

If motorists encounter a downed tree 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).

Additional VDOT Information Sources

Find VDOT Fredericksburg District news releases online on VDOT’s website, VirginiaDOT.org, under “Newsroom.”

Follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOT and @VaDOTFRED

Connect with us on Facebook on our VDOT page, and VDOT Fredericksburg District group page.

Visit VDOT’s winter weather page for more information about winter weather preparations and response.

VDOT’s 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 my.vdot.virginia.gov.

511Virginia

Motorists can find real-time information on lane closures, work zones, traffic and other incidents on 511Virginia.

Download the free mobile 511Virginia app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, or visit www.511Virginia.org.

Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 when they are not operating a motor vehicle or while using a hands-free device. Do not use a handheld cell phone or mobile device while driving (it’s the law).

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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.