ICY ROAD CONDITIONS EXPECTED OVERNIGHT
VDOT crews will apply sand for traction, and will start to clear subdivisions this evening

FREDERICKSBURG – Weather conditions are clearing in the Fredericksburg District, and Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are working hard to plow Interstate 95 and primary roads down to bare pavement before single-digit temperatures overnight freeze any remaining moisture on the road.

Motorists traveling tonight or tomorrow morning are urged to use additional caution, reduce their speed, and allow extra travel time. Even if a road appears clear, a glaze of transparent ice could coat the surface, creating hazardous driving conditions.

Before starting a trip, check 511Virginia for real-time road conditions by calling 511 or going to 511virginia.org.

VDOT’s Park & Ride commuter lots in the Fredericksburg District will be cleared in advance of tomorrow morning’s rush hour.

In neighborhoods, many lower-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets remain partially or completely covered in snow. VDOT crews expect to make progress clearing subdivision streets overnight, and will concentrate on clearing these roads all day on Tuesday.

Salt is less effective at melting ice below 20 degrees. Tonight, VDOT crews will spread sand in areas mostly likely to freeze due to lower surface temperatures, such as hills, curves, intersections, and along ramps, bridges, and overpasses.

VDOT’s goal is to have all state-maintained roads passable within 48 hours of a storm’s end. This week, VDOT crews will continue to work 24 hours a day, in 12-hour shifts, until all state-maintained roads are safe for travel.

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).
Driveway Clearing Tips
To make as many roads passable as quickly as possible, VDOT plow operators will push snow off the roadway in smooth, continuous passes. It ends up along road shoulders, sometimes blocking driveways.

To avoid doing double work, wait until a plow has cleared your street before shoveling snow from the end of a driveway.

For motorists who must shovel the end of their driveway before a plow arrives, shovel it to the right of your driveway as you face the road.