VDOT scrambling to clear roadways after Valley ice storm

Motorists should expect slick driving conditions Friday morning on many roadways in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. The first storm of the season brought ice and snow to the entire region, and re-freezing overnight created additional icy spots.

There are fallen trees and utility lines on many roadways, especially in the central and southern portions of the valley. Power outages have also affected some traffic signals. Drivers should treat intersections with inoperable signals as a four-way stop.

Crews and contractors for the Virginia Department of Transportation continue to treat and plow roads as needed. Driving conditions should improve Friday afternoon as temperatures are expected to rise well above freezing.

Here are the road conditions as of 4 a.m. in the VDOT Staunton District:

• Interstate 64 – Minor conditions in Rockbridge County. Clear conditions in Alleghany and Augusta counties.
• Interstate 66 – Moderate conditions in Warren County.
• Interstate 81 – Minor conditions in Rockbridge, Shenandoah and Frederick counties. Clear conditions in Augusta and Rockingham counties.
• Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Clarke and Warren counties. Moderate and minor conditions in Shenandoah County. Minor conditions in Bath, Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham and Page and Frederick counties. Clear conditions in Alleghany County.
• Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties. Minor conditions in Bath and Highland counties. Clear conditions in Alleghany County.

For winter weather road conditions go to http://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.

On the go? Then visit VDOT’s Free Virginia 511 Tools to get your 511 app for android or iOS. Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can be accessed through its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are on site 24/7 every day of the year to assist the public. People can also call the VDOT Customer Service Center at 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623).

The Staunton District Snow Page is on the VDOT website under Travel Center Snow Emergency Pages. The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.

The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.org.

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