VDOT: Snow blankets roads in Shenandoah Valley

Moderate to heavy snowfall is covering roads throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Most areas have already seen 2-4 inches of accumulation, and the snow is expected to continue through Monday evening. The exiting storm will give way to extremely cold temperatures that cause wet surfaces to refreeze. Drivers are urged to avoid non-essential travel until conditions improve, according to VDOT.

Virginia Department of Transportation crews are rotating 12-hour shifts to plow and treat roads. They will focus their efforts first on interstate and primary routes, followed by secondary roads and subdivision streets. VDOT’s goal is for snowplows to make at least one pass through all state-maintained roads within 48 hours after the storm ends.

Here are the road conditions as of 11 a.m. Monday:

• Interstate 64 – Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
• Interstate 66 – Moderate conditions in Warren County.
• Interstate 81 – Moderate conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Frederick counties.
• Primary roads – Moderate to severe conditions in rockingham county. Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties.
• Secondary roads – Severe conditions in Frederick County. Moderate conditions in Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties.

For around-the clock updates on road conditions go to www.511Virginia.org, look for 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.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at511Virginia.org. For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

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

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