VDOT News - Richmond

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. – Precipitation has ended in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Richmond District, but crews are on the lookout for black ice Friday morning. While no accumulated snow fell in the Richmond District, any wet pavement from rainfall has the potential to turn into slick spots as temperatures hover around freezing. Crews will be monitoring all state-maintained roads in the district for icy conditions, treating slick patches with salt to melt ice, and sand to give vehicles traction.

Pretreating for Thursday night weather began on Wednesday, January 5 in the Richmond District. Crews treated interstates and major primary routes in the district with saltwater brine to reduce the chance of ice bonding to the pavement. Crews will continue to work in 12-hour rotating shifts until roads are safe and passable.

Crews are still completing operations to address the remnants of a winter storm that impacted the Commonwealth on Monday, January 3. Five secondary routes (route numbers 600+) in Goochland and western Hanover counties remain closed. Coordination will continue to remove any fallen trees and utility lines resulting from this week’s two winter weather events.

Tips for drivers

• Delay travel until temperatures rise. Although crews are treating slick spots as they arise, black ice could be present on any wet pavement.
• If travel is essential Friday morning, reduce your speed and leave extra following distance between vehicles. If you begin to skid, do not brake. Take your foot off the gas and steer your vehicle in the direction you want to go.
• Remember that areas where air circulates freely will freeze first. Use caution on bridges, overpasses, ramps, curves, turns and shaded areas.
• If you notice ice on the road, please report it by calling 800-FOR-ROAD when you are safely parked.

Information resources

511 Virginia
Before traveling, you can get the latest traffic conditions by using 511 Virginia. Call 511 from any phone in Virginia, visit www.511virginia.org or download the free mobile app at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/511.asp#app.

Social media
Twitter: For area information, follow @VaDOTRVA and @511centralva
Facebook: Visit VDOT’s statewide page and follow the Richmond District group: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaDOT

Customer service center
Report road hazards or ask road-related questions at VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or using the online form available at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/.

Additional resources
For more winter driving information, please visit VDOT's winter weather page.

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VDOT’s Richmond District oversees snow removal activities on approximately 19,000 lane miles of roads in 14 counties in central Virginia: Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico (primary routes only), Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Nottoway, Powhatan and Prince George counties. Henrico County provides snow removal for their secondary roads (numbered 600 and above) and subdivision streets. Cities that provide their own snow removal include Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, and the towns of Ashland, Blackstone, Chase City and South Hill.

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.