The Virginia Department of Transportation is prepared for the first major winter storm, which is forecast to bring over 2 feet of snow from some areas of the ten-county Lynchburg District.
Pre-treating of major primary routes, the most heavily traveled roads, including US 29 and 460, has been completed. Application of the treatment prevents snow from bonding to the road surface as rapidly and affords crews an opportunity to remove accumulated snow more easily. Equipment and materials have been checked and plans have been reviewed.
VDOT’s crews will be working in 12-hour shifts during and after the storm. Their goal is to have all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after a storm ends. Passable does not mean that there will necessarily be bare pavement.
Current forecasts indicate that driving may be dangerous due to icy conditions in portions of the district, particularly the southern counties (Pittsylvania and Halifax) and the potentially historic snowfall across much of the rest of the district but especially in the Nelson County and northwestern Amherst County. Motorists should not travel during the storm for their safety and to allow VDOT crews to efficiently and effectively clear the roads for travel.
Additional information about VDOT’s winter-weather preparations and response can be found at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp.