VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will mobilize in emergency operations tonight ahead of another winter storm expected to create icy, hazardous road conditions across the Fredericksburg District.

Snow, sleet, freezing rain and ice may be present on roads during this storm. Precipitation is expected to begin falling before sunrise Thursday and continue through late Thursday.

Ice is a significant risk with this storm. Icing may lead to downed trees and utility lines in the road, especially with wet, saturated soil across the district from storms over the past week.

Motorists are urged to avoid travel once snow or freezing precipitation starts to fall Thursday. Travel is hazardous when ice and snow are covering the road.

“We know residents are eager for warmer weather and to resume travel as normal, but road conditions will deteriorate quickly once this storm begins,” said Robbie Prezioso, P.E., VDOT Fredericksburg District Maintenance Engineer. “Depending on the track of the storm, roads in our district may be covered at times with snow, sleet, freezing rain or ice. For your safety, and for the safety of those who must be on the road, including emergency responders, we ask that travelers finish errands and storm preparations today, and then postpone trips until after the storm has ended.”

Pre-treatment operations were finishing Wednesday on Interstate 95, and on primary roads across the Fredericksburg area and Northern Neck, where the storm is anticipated to begin with snow. Tanker trucks applied a salt brine solution to the pavement on these high-volume routes. Once the storm begins, this helps to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement and assists with snow removal.

Earlier this week, supplies of sand and salt were replenished across the region. Tonight, VDOT state forces and contractors will move equipment into position to begin plowing snow and spreading sand and salt as soon as inclement weather starts.

Once 2 inches of snow or slush has accumulated on the road surface, crews will begin to plow.

What Motorists Should Know

• Plan travel around the storm: Once precipitation begins early Thursday, roads may quickly become covered by a range of frozen precipitation: snow, sleet, freezing rain, ice. Visibility may be limited. Downed trees or utility lines may be in the road. Plan to arrive at your destination before inclement weather begins and avoid travel until after the storm has ended.
• With up to 1,200 pieces of equipment available in Fredericksburg District, VDOT crews have the staff and treatment materials needed to respond to this storm. Crews will continue to work around the clock until all roads are safe for travel.
• Check road conditions before starting a trip: Call 511, visit www.511virginia.org or download the free mobile 511Virginia app to see real-time road conditions around the state, and view traffic cameras.

VDOT Customer Service Center

If motorists encounter debris or another hazard in the road, do not attempt to move it.

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 (367-7623) or online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.

Social Media

Follow VDOT on Twitter at @VaDOT and VDOT Fredericksburg District at @VaDOTFRED.

On Facebook, visit VDOT’s statewide page or join the VDOT Fredericksburg District group.

Merry Point and Sunnybank Ferries

The Merry Point Ferry and Sunnybank Ferry are operating according to their normal schedules today, but will not operate on Thursday, Feb. 18. For real-time updates on ferry service for the remainder of the week, check 511Virginia.

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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.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.