VDOT News - Hampton Roads

SUFFOLK—As another winter storm approaches the region, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District has begun preparations in advance of the next round of winter weather this weekend. Motorists must limit nonessential travel beginning Friday afternoon, Jan. 28, especially during the evening rush hour, through the weekend, when travel will be hazardous. 

This morning, VDOT crews mobilized for pretreatment activities on the district’s interstates, primary and high-volume secondary roads. This work is expected to be completed no later than Friday morning ahead of the storm, and crews have already gathered material and loaded equipment to address potential road impacts in the coming days. Additional equipment loaded with plows and spreaders stands ready to address varying road conditions that may present throughout the length of the storm. With the possibility of high winds combined with heavy, wet snow, crews are on standby to assist with downed trees, branches and debris that may fall across the roads. 

Beginning Friday, crews will work in shifts as part of 24-hour operations to clear and treat the interstate and state-maintained roadways as needed. VDOT maintains all interstates, major state-maintained primary routes, and county roads in Hampton Roads. Individual municipalities maintain their own primary and secondary routes.

The 64 Express Lanes (reversible roadway) will be closed starting as early as 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, through 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 31. This closure allows for safer and more efficient snow removal operations during the winter weather. 

Winter weather preparations across the state are underway for interstates and state-maintained roads. District-specific travel alerts and storm information can be found at https://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/news_from_vdot.asp 

VDOT will continue to monitor road surfaces as temperatures and conditions change throughout the weekend. 

Motorists should continue to monitor changing weather and road conditions throughout the duration of the inclement weather.

If travel is unavoidable:

• Visit www.511Virginia.org for the latest road conditions before traveling. If possible, avoid travel until precipitation stops and road conditions improve.
• Give crews time and space to treat roads.
• If you must travel during adverse weather conditions:
• Allow plenty of time to reach your destination
• Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind the vehicle ahead of you
• Brake very lightly to keep your tires from slipping on pavement
• Do not crowd or pass snowplows
• Keep an emergency winter weather kit in your vehicle which includes food, water, first aid materials, tools and blankets in the event of a breakdown or stoppage.

Resources:

• Free 511 Virginia Tools -- Get the latest traffic conditions before traveling by calling 511, or go to www.511virginia.org. You also can download Virginia’s free 511 mobile app at https://www.virginiadot.org/travel/511.asp#app. 

• 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) -- Report road hazards or ask road-related questions at VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by calling this statewide toll-free number.

• Twitter -- Follow us @VaDOTHR and @511hamptonroads for the latest traffic updates during a storm.

• WAZE – VDOT recently partnered with Waze to add a new feature to the navigation software app that allows users to report, in real-time during winter weather, when a road has not been plowed. It will also inform travelers when they are approaching a road that has been identified by other drivers as unplowed.

For more winter driving information, please visit www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp.

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.