VDOT: Travel still hazardous in Shenandoah Valley

Road conditions in the Shenandoah Valley are steadily improving, thanks to Sunday sunshine and the continuous efforts of crews and contractors for the Virginia Department of Transportation. But many primary and secondary roads are still covered with snow, especially in the northern valley where snowfall totals approached three feet.

VDOT closed several exits on Interstate 81 in the Staunton District because truck-stop parking lots were full, creating the risk of stopped tractor trailers on the interstate. I-81 exits 195, 205 and 213 have since reopened. Here is the list of closures still in effect as of 12 noon Sunday:

• I-81 exit 323 in Frederick County – northbound and southbound off ramps are closed.
• I-81 exit 291 in in the Toms Brook area of Shenandoah County – northbound and southbound off ramps are closed.
• I-81 exit 251 in the Harrisonburg area of Rockingham County – northbound and southbound off ramps are closed.

More than 1,000 pieces of equipment have been deployed since early Friday morning in the VDOT Staunton District, with operators working continuous 12-hour shifts. VDOT’s goal is to make all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours after the end of the winter storm.

Here are the road conditions as of 12 noon Sunday:

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

For winter weather road conditions go to 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.

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 roads.

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 www.VirginiaDOT.org.