From VDOT:
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are plowing roads and spreading sand and salt this morning to improve road conditions after around five inches of snow fell overnight in the Fredericksburg area, and a range of two to four inches of snow accumulated across the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.
Interstate 95 is currently in minor condition, with bare pavement visible and isolated areas of snow coverage.
All other state-maintained roads in the Fredericksburg District are in moderate to severe condition, with travel lanes partially or fully covered by snow. Greater snow coverage is present on lower-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets.
Motorists should continue to delay unnecessary travel. If there is ice or snow on the road, travel is hazardous; motorists should avoid travel during the storm.
Overnight, crews focused on repeatedly plowing I-95 and primary roads, keeping them clear and passable while snow was falling. Leading priorities for snow removal include I-95, primary roads, and secondary roads that carry heavy traffic, or connect with critical public safety and emergency services. Once conditions improve on priority routes, crews can focus next on subdivision streets and lower-volume secondary roads.
With up to 1,200 pieces of equipment available in Fredericksburg District, VDOT crews have the staff and treatment materials needed to treat slick road surfaces and plow any accumulating snow or slush from this storm. Crews will remain at work around the clock this weekend until state-maintained roads are safe for travel.
What Motorists Should Know
- Check road conditions before starting a trip on Friday, and through the upcoming weekend: Call 511, visit 511virginia.org or download the free mobile 511Virginia app to see real-time road conditions around the state, and view traffic cameras. Additional inclement weather is forecast for Fredericksburg District for Friday evening and Saturday, including more snow, freezing rain, sleet and potential icing.
- Give VDOT crews space to work. Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind trucks and other equipment that are plowing or treating the road. Do not pass a snowplow or spreader.
- Snowplow status updates: VDOT Fredericksburg District has activated its online snow plow tracker map at org. All VDOT-owned and contracted plows are equipped with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), allowing them to be monitored on the snowplow tracker.
- Street parking: Residents can help by parking vehicles in driveways or as far onto the road shoulder as they can. This provides the most space for snowplows to completely remove snow from the travel lanes on passes through a neighborhood.
- Shoveling a driveway? Remember to shovel to the right while facing the street. This will reduce the amount of double work that may be required after a snowplow makes a pass along your street. Watch a VDOT videoexplaining how to avoid having snow pushed back into the end of your driveway.
Road Condition Definitions
During winter storms, road conditions are present on 511Virginia using three ratings: minor, moderate and severe. These terms are defined as the following:
Minor: Potential for patches of ice and snow on roadway; Passable with caution.
Moderate: Snow or ice is covering major portions of the roadway; Passable with caution.
Severe: A significant accumulation of snow or ice is blocking the roadway; Conditions are hazardous.
VDOT Customer Service Center
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) or online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.
Social Media
Follow VDOT on Twitter at @VaDOT and VDOT Fredericksburg District at @VaDOTFRED.
On Facebook, visit VDOT’s statewide page or join the VDOT Fredericksburg District group.
