VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – With a winter storm forecast to bring snow Thursday evening to the Fredericksburg area and portions of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, Virginia Department of Transportation crews continue to plow and treat roads that still have snow coverage from Monday's storm, while preparing a pre-treatment operation to begin Thursday morning.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Thursday, crews will start a mobile operation on I-95 in the Fredericksburg area to apply pre-treatment salt brine solution. Roads are expected to remain dry prior to the onset of snow Thursday night, allowing VDOT to pre-treat major travel routes. Pre-treatment prevents ice from bonding to the pavement during inclement weather.

Tanker trucks applying the salt brine solution travel at approximately 35 mph. Slower travel speeds are required to spray the salt brine onto travel lanes with precision, and to ensure an adequate amount is absorbed in the pavement.

After the I-95 pre-treatment is complete, trucks will next pre-treat primary routes.

Emergency response continues 24 hours a day, with crews working in 12-hour shifts. Road conditions improved Thursday afternoon and evening, with primary roads and high-volume secondary roads now in clear to minor condition, with bare pavement and open travel lanes, and isolated areas of snow.

Interstate 95 remains open and clear. Crews are patrolling and re-treating I-95 and primary roads overnight for any potential refreezing and slick conditions, especially on ramps, bridges and overpasses, which may have lower surface temperatures.

More plows are reaching residential areas as primary routes have cleared. However, many lower-volume secondary routes and subdivision streets remain in moderate to severe condition, with partial to total snow coverage. Crews continue to work overnight, with a goal of making at least an initial pass in each neighborhood along key routes, and apply treatment materials, ahead of Thursday's storm.

VDOT is working with more than 20 tree contractors to remove debris and reopen roads. Coordination with utility providers is occurring to reopen roads and restore power, so trees can be removed as lines are de-energized, and crews can remove debris and trees that allows utility crews to reach downed lines. This evening, several dozen secondary roads are closed districtwide for downed trees or utility lines.

Motorists are encouraged to delay unnecessary travel. Even with treatment, icy to slick conditions remain possible.

If you must travel, plan to allow extra travel time, reduce your speed, wear your seat belt, and increase following distance between vehicles. Use additional caution while traveling on bridges, ramps and overpasses, which freeze first due to lower surface temperatures. Clean snow and ice from your vehicle before starting a trip. This will improve your visibility of the road ahead, and it will prevent snow and ice from becoming a flying debris hazard for other travelers.

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.

VDOT Online Snow Plow Tracker

VDOT’s online snow plow tracking map has been activated in Fredericksburg District. VDOT and contractor trucks are equipped with automatic vehicle location technology, and can be monitored on the tracker during snow removal operations.

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.”

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.

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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.