52 roads remain closed across Central Virginia: Repair efforts will continue today

Virginia Department of Transportation crews will mobilize across Central Virginia this morning to continue repairing roads and bridges flooded and damaged by the torrential rains over the past four days. Floodwaters are beginning to recede and the weather forecast is favorable for that work.

Early Monday morning, 52 secondary roads are closed. Thirteen roads are closed in Greene County and 12 are closed in Fauquier County. In Madison County 10 roads are closed while Culpeper County is reporting eight routes closed. Rappahannock reported four roads closed, two roads in both Albemarle and Orange are closed while Louisa County is reporting one road closed. Some of those roads will likely reopen later today as water levels fall and VDOT inspects the flooded sections to make sure they are safe for travel.

VDOT cautions drivers that many of the repairs are temporary, such as gravel sections on paved roads and on bridge approaches that washed out. Motorists be alert and reduce speed while driving on roads affected by the surging rivers, especially in the areas where temporary repairs were made and where tree limbs, rocks, broken pavement and other debris deposited by the floodwaters are on the road shoulders. VDOT urges motorists to use extra care at night when roadway hazards are more difficult to see.

VDOT crews are making repairs as quickly as possible, with priority given to roads and bridges that provide the only access to residents on the far side of the damaged structure. Route 810 (Dyke Road) in Greene County, a major secondary route carrying traffic from Route 33 and western Greene to Earlysville and Charlottesville, was heavily damaged and remains closed south of Route 631 (Haneytown Road). Repairs to a failed culvert pipe will likely be completed today.

VDOT reminds motorists never to drive through water flowing across a roadway or around closure barricades. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown. As recovery and reconstruction efforts continue VDOT also asks that people not drive into affected areas unless they have a need to be there. Unnecessary vehicles are a distraction for the crews working and drivers may put themselves and their passengers in danger.

Drivers should check www.511virginia.org or the 511 mobile app for updated information about the road closures and follow @VaDOTCULP on Twitter for updates.