VDOT News - Salem

SALEM – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has been responding today to the winter storm that covered roadways with snow in some portions of western Virginia.

This afternoon and tonight, drivers can expect interstates and primary roads to be mostly clear with isolated slick spots.   Motorists on these main routes should still watch out for slick spots caused by refreeze and drifting snow.

If previously cleared roads freeze overnight or become covered by blowing snow, VDOT crews will return to plow or treat these routes.  Crews will also be responding to downed trees caused by windy conditions.

Today, equipment operators have worked on many secondary roads and neighborhood streets (those numbered 600 and above) in areas where snow accumulated, but temperatures below freezing and blowing snow have posed challenges. The cold temperatures mean that many of these routes, even when plowed, remain covered in a layer of frozen snow or ice.

Crews have focused their efforts today on the New River Valley (Pulaski, Floyd, Giles and Montgomery counties), the counties around Hillsville (Patrick and Carroll counties) and Craig County.

Travelers can get real-time information about road conditions, traffic incidents and congestion on Virginia roads by using VDOT’s 511 free mobile app or the www.511Virginia.org website and phone system.

The Salem District includes the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, and Roanoke.

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.