VDOT: Prepare for winter storm

VDOT urges motorists to plan weekend travel around winter weather. A storm is expected to bring snow, freezing rain and sleet to much of the Commonwealth beginning Saturday. Winter weather is expected to continue throughout Sunday.

VDOT crews statewide are pretreating roads ahead of the storm, and will complete those operations today. However, once snow and ice falls, roads will be slick and driving conditions may be hazardous. When the storm arrives, crews will work around the clock to clear roads.

VDOT has approximately 2,500 crew members for snow-removal operations statewide. In addition, VDOT uses contractors to maintain the interstates throughout the Commonwealth. Snow removal is one of the main functions of these contractors. VDOT has nearly 11,700 pieces of equipment and more than 700,000 tons of salt, sand and treated abrasives and 2.1 million gallons of liquid calcium chloride and salt brine ready at full capacity. Materials are continually replenished once used throughout snow season.

A statewide network of 77 weather sensors in roadways and bridges allows VDOT maintenance crews to quickly identify when and where road surfaces might be freezing.

No matter the forecast, road travel is always hazardous during winter weather. Motorists are advised to only travel in emergency situations.

What you should know

• Motorists are urged to plan travel around the impending winter weather and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
• Travel is hazardous and interferes with snow-clearing operations and emergency services.
• Give crews time and room to plow roads
• Crews focus efforts on roads that carry the most traffic:
• Interstates and primary roads
• Major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities
• Other secondary roads and subdivision streets

Go to www.511virginia.org for the latest road conditions. Avoid travel until precipitation stops and road conditions improve.

To report weather-related road issues go to https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/ or call 1-800-FOR-ROADS.

For more information, go to http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp.

Resources

Traffic information is also available on Twitter @511statewideVA. For general VDOT information, follow @VaDOT. VDOT’s Facebook page will be updated throughout the storm.