VDOT News - Statewide

RICHMOND, Va. – The first winter storm of 2019 has arrived in the Commonwealth, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is responding to treat and plow roads, where needed, as a mix of snow, freezing rain, and rain continues to fall.

Motorists are encouraged to plan travel around the storm and local road conditions, which vary widely across Virginia, from wet to snow-covered.

Thousands of VDOT crew members are deployed statewide to address hazardous road conditions in affected areas. Crews work in rotating shifts around the clock, first focusing on interstates and primary routes for maximum safety and connectivity. Once major routes are passable, crews will shift focus to secondary routes and neighborhood streets. VDOT’s goal is to make all roads passable, meaning that the road can be travelled safely with cautious driving, within 48 hours of a storm’s end.

Due to below-freezing temperatures forecast for overnight Sunday, any moisture on the roads may refreeze and create a hazardous commute on Monday morning.

Plan around the storm if travel is necessary:

• Monitor 511virginia.org for the latest traffic and road conditions.
• Check your vehicle for safe operability; headlights, brakes, windshield wipers and car heater should be ready for travel.
• Report hazardous road conditions to VDOT’s Customer Service Center at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/ or by calling 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

On the road, as conditions warrant:

• Use extra caution in wet and slushy conditions, especially on hills, near intersections and shaded areas.
• Watch for black ice to form, especially on raised surface areas, including bridges, overpasses and ramps.
• Where ice is possible, watch for downed trees and other debris.
• Leave extra space between your vehicle and those around you.
• Remove any snow from your vehicle before driving as snow can blow off onto the roadway or other vehicles.
• Find more winter travel tips at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp.

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.