VDOT preparing equipment, materials today for next round of winter weather

Download 511 mobile app to monitor road conditions

FREDERICKSBURG – Motorists are advised that snow could make travel difficult in the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula on Thursday, and road conditions may be slick and hazardous.

Before starting a trip tomorrow, travelers should check real-time road conditions at 511Virginia.org, by calling 511, or downloading VDOT’s free mobile 511 app. While snow is falling, motorists are encouraged to delay nonessential travel.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has nearly 900 pieces of equipment available in the 14-county Fredericksburg District to spread sand and salt, and plow roads.

Today, crews are pre-staging equipment and loading trucks with treatment materials. Crews will mobilize beginning at 3 a.m. on Thursday morning.

Snow is expected to begin falling in the Fredericksburg area around 7 a.m. tomorrow, and start by midday in the eastern areas of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Snow is expected to continue falling throughout the day into Thursday evening. Accumulation totals are forecasted to range from 1-4 inches, with the heaviest snowfall expected in the Fredericksburg area.

Temperatures are expected to fall below freezing Thursday evening into Friday morning, which could lead to icy, slippery road conditions. VDOT crews will apply salt to melt ice and snow, and sand to improve traction for motorists.

What Motorists Should Know:
• While snow is falling, VDOT crews will make repeated passes on Interstate 95, primary roads, and key secondary roads to keep
travel lanes clear.
• VDOT’s goal is to have all roads passable within 48 hours of a storm’s end.
• Motorists are encouraged to delay any nonessential travel.
• 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 (800-367-7623).
• Shovel snow from your driveway to the right as you face the street. This will minimize the snow pushed into your driveway by
plows clearing the road. Consider waiting to shovel the last several feet closest to the street until after plows have passed.