VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is
advising drivers that a forecasted wintry mix will affect travel in the Fredericksburg area early tomorrow morning, Thursday, Dec. 21. Motorists traveling for the holidays should travel today or delay travel plans to avoid hazardous road conditions that are forecasted to start tomorrow morning into the weekend in the Fredericksburg area along the Interstate 95 corridor and in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

The forecasted wintry mix with rain changing to snow and freezing rain may cause slick, hazardous road conditions.

Avoid traveling on the roads early in the morning on Thursday, Dec. 21. Road conditions may deteriorate and, as air temperatures fall, pavement temperatures are also expected to drop, creating the potential for icy conditions to develop on roads early tomorrow morning. Icy conditions may occur first on bridges, overpasses, ramps, elevated surfaces and in shaded areas.

Heavy rain is forecasted to fall throughout the day Thursday into early morning Friday. Starting late in the morning on Friday, temperatures are expected to quickly fall below freezing and remain below freezing over the weekend through Monday, Dec. 26. Any remaining wet pavement or water ponded on roads may flash freeze when this temperature drop occurs, creating icy, slick patches.

High winds on Friday may also cause downed trees and debris. High wind advisory postings are possible for major river bridges in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, and service on the Merry Point Ferry and Sunnybank Ferry may be suspended.

North and west of the Fredericksburg area, road conditions may be more severe based on forecasts. Motorists should check real-time road conditions along their entire route before starting a trip. Visit 511Virginia or use VDOT’s 511Virginia free mobile app. 

VDOT crews are mobilizing in emergency operations tonight at midnight along Interstate 95 and across the Fredericksburg area to be in position ahead of inclement weather. 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.

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.
• 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 my.vdot.virginia.gov or by phone at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

511Virginia

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.