POTENTIAL FOR ICY CONDITIONS TO DEVELOP TONIGHT, TOMORROW MORNING
VDOT will plow and treat roads overnight and before morning rush hour in Fredericksburg District

FREDERICKSBURG – Motorists are urged to reduce their speed and allow extra travel time Thursday morning as icy conditions may develop overnight as temperatures drop.

Any remaining patches of slush and wet pavement could freeze overnight. Conditions may be especially slick on bridges, overpasses and ramps, which freeze first, and on secondary roads with low traffic volumes and shaded spots. Due to snow accumulation blocking drainage systems, road surfaces may be damper than usual.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews remain on duty plowing roads and spreading sand, salt and abrasives to melt snow and give drivers additional traction.

Road conditions have improved in the Fredericksburg area this afternoon, with clear to minor conditions on Interstate 95, primary roads, and high-volume secondary roads. Subdivision streets are in moderate condition.

All roads are clear in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, with wet pavement and mixed precipitation falling.

Interstate and primary roads are VDOT's first priority for snow removal, since they carry the highest volume of traffic. Once these roads are clear, VDOT will concentrate on key secondary routes, and then subdivision streets. VDOT's goal is to have all roads passable within 48 hours of a storm's end.

High winds on the Middle Peninsula overnight may lead to downed trees and tree limbs, which could block travel lanes. Tree contractors are working throughout the District to assist VDOT crews as they work to re-open any affected roads.

Motorist Resources
Motorists can call 511, visit www.511Virginia.org, or use VDOT's 511Virginia free mobile app to find real-time road conditions in any area of the state.

Road conditions may be rated as clear, minor, moderate or severe.

· Clear: No conditions.
· Minor: Bare pavement, except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.
· Moderate: Snow or ice is covering major portions of the roadway.
· Severe: Significant amount of snow or ice is covering the roadway, and roadway may be partially blocked or affected by drifting snow.

VDOT's Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and take reports of roadway hazards at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623).

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VDOT's 14-county Fredericksburg District includes the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.