The Virginia Department of Transportation is currently preparing for the winter precipitation forecast to affect central Virginia tonight and early Saturday morning.
Crews are pre-treating Interstate 64 in Albemarle and Louisa counties and I-66 in Fauquier County today. The process involves applying brine to the road before a storm to prevent ice from sticking to the pavement.
VDOT crews in the Culpeper District are readying equipment and supplies and will report to work at 8 p.m. Friday to monitor conditions. Since little snow accumulation is expected, crews will focus on treating the roads with sand and salt to improve traction and speed the melting process.
Motorists are advised to delay travel until mid-morning Saturday to allow temperatures to rise above freezing. People who must travel overnight and early Saturday morning should be aware that driving may be hazardous due to freezing rain.
VDOT offers the following safety tips to the traveling public:
- Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination. Use extra caution on bridges, ramps and steep surfaces.
- Do not pass snow-plows or spreader trucks. Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles.
- Be vigilant. Reduce speed. Keep a safe distance behind other vehicles. Pay attention, especially when visibility is low. Always wear your seatbelt.
Road conditions and other real-time travel information can be found on the 511 Virginia website, the free VDOT 511 mobile app or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia. Local updates are also posted to Twitter.com/VaDOTCulp.
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Chris Graham
