VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Motorists are advised to use caution Saturday and early Sunday if traveling, with gusting winds, rain and light snow in the forecast for the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

Gusting winds may lead to downed trees, debris, and utility lines in the road, especially in coastal areas in eastern areas of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Wind gusts near 50 mph are expected in areas near the Chesapeake Bay, with wind gusts of up to 45 mph possible in the Fredericksburg area.

Motorists may encounter wet or slick pavement at times from rain and light snow, and limited visibility while snow is falling. Overnight Saturday evening into early Sunday, icy road conditions are possible as temperatures drop below freezing, and any remaining moisture on the road surface may freeze. Additional caution should be used when traveling on elevated surfaces such as bridges, ramps and overpasses, which freeze first due to lower surface temperatures.

Today, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are preparing staff, equipment and materials to quickly mobilize Saturday morning in emergency response ahead of inclement weather. Crews will be ready to clear downed trees and debris, apply treatment materials to reduce icing and improve traction on Interstate 95, primary and high-volume secondary roads, and receive support from tree contractors, if required. Crews will remain mobilized through the weekend as needed to respond to any hazardous road conditions.

Before starting a trip this weekend, motorists should check 511Virginia for real-time road conditions along their planned route. Road conditions may vary around the state, especially north and west of the Fredericksburg District, where additional snow accumulation may be forecast.

High Winds Protocol for Major Bridges, Fredericksburg District

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

• 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
• Eltham Bridge, which carries Route 30/Route 33 traffic over the Pamunkey River and connects the Town of West Point and New Kent County
• 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.

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 Information

Follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOT and @VaDOTFRED

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.