Motorists should prepare to limit travel during a forecasted winter storm that may create hazardous road conditions starting Saturday morning in the Fredericksburg area and in portions of the Northern Neck.
A wintry mix of snow and sleet is forecast to affect the Fredericksburg area and the western Northern Neck beginning Saturday morning, followed by a transition to rain.
Road conditions may also be slick Saturday night into Sunday morning as temperatures drop and any wet pavement refreezes.
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews have prepared equipment, treatment materials and staff to mobilize in emergency response shortly after midnight Saturday, ahead of the storm’s arrival. VDOT crews will be staged along Interstate 95 and state-maintained roads in the Fredericksburg area and western Northern Neck to monitor road conditions and apply treatment materials to reduce icing and improve motorist traction once precipitation begins.
With this weekend’s wintry mix expected to start as snow, crews pre-treated Interstate 95 in Stafford, Spotsylvania and Caroline counties today with a brine solution. Pre-treatment helps to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement during winter weather, which can reduce the risk of hazardous travel conditions and assists crews with snow and ice removal.
On Friday, VDOT crews will pre-treat Route 1 in the Fredericksburg area and other primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599, and Route 610 in Stafford) west of Route 1, where heavier precipitation is forecast.
Travel is always hazardous when ice and snow are present on the road. Even on roads that have been pre-treated, conditions may quickly become slippery once precipitation begins.
VDOT’s Snow Removal Priorities
VDOT is responsible for snow removal on all state-maintained roads, while all cities and some towns maintain their roads. VDOT may support cities and towns, if requested.
Snow removal priorities are as follows:
- The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are VDOT’s first priority
- Primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) and major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and up) with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow
- Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available
Information on Road Conditions
Before traveling, check road conditions by using VDOT’s free 511 mobile app, which offers information about road conditions, traffic, incidents, construction and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more.
Information is also available at 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 while in Virginia.
For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).
Stay Safe
- It is best not to travel during a winter weather event
- Monitor the forecast for your planned route and limit travel based on roadway conditions
- Allow more time to reach your destination
- Drive at lower speeds and keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and trucks that are plowing the road
- Don’t pass a snowplow or spreader unless it is absolutely necessary. Treat these as you would emergency response vehicles.
- Use caution in locations where pavement freezes first, including bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas
- Keep an emergency supply kit in your car at all times in case of a breakdown or stoppage. This should include:
Flashlight and extra batteries
Ice scraper
Cell phone and charger
Jumper cables
Blankets or quilts
First aid kit
Bottled water
Non-perishable food (nuts, energy bars)
Abrasive material for traction (cat litter, sand)
Shovel
For more about winter weather travel, visit VDOT’s winter weather travel page.
