The Shadow
RICHMOND, Va. (VR)— As winter weather begins to make its way out of the commonwealth tonight, drivers should avoid travel until temperatures rise and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews and contractors have had the chance to retreat roadways.
Both air and road temperatures are expected to drop overnight and into the morning hours, causing any remaining snow on roadways to freeze and create hazardous conditions. Refreeze will also occur where snow and ice melt on the pavement and then freeze again. Crews will continue to patrol and treat state-maintained roads with salt and sand.
VDOT prioritizes state-maintained roads that carry the most traffic for snow treatment and removal. The agency works to make interstates and most primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) safe first. Crews also focus on major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and higher) with vital emergency and public facilities or those with high traffic volumes. Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.
If travel is absolutely necessary, drivers should use extreme caution. Check roadway conditions by using VDOT’s free 511 mobile app, which offers information about road conditions, traffic, incidents, construction and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more. Information is also available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov or by calling 511 while in Virginia.
