VDOT: Avoid unnecessary travel due to snow

With all of western Virginia under a Winter Storm Warning, the Virginia Department of Transportation is advising drivers to avoid unnecessary travel on Tuesday. Snowfall is expected to continue into the evening. The Shenandoah Valley is forecast to receive up to eight inches of snow, and as much as ten inches are expected in the higher elevations.

The precipitation will likely start as wet snow, but turn into a powdery snow by the end of the storm.  High winds are forecast for Tuesday afternoon and evening, which could limit visibility and create drifting. Even after a road is plowed, winds could cover the road again with blowing snow.

VDOT began emergency operations at midnight. Crews will work around the clock during and after the winter storm to ensure roads are treated and plowed. They will focus efforts first on interstates and primary roads, then shift resources to secondary roads as conditions improve.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

For winter weather road conditions go to www.511Virginia.org, look at the orange bar on the top of the page and click on “Text Views” and then click on “Road Condition Table”. Look at the pull down box that lists all jurisdictions.  In this box individual counties can be chosen to view.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts, traffic cameras and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.  A 511 app is available for iOS and Android devices

For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

Visit the VDOT winter weather page for information on snow removal and resources http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp .

The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter andYouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located atwww.VirginiaDOT.org.