VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Road conditions are clear with wet pavement across the Fredericksburg District at midday, but motorists are advised that high winds this afternoon will continue to pose a travel risk for downed trees, debris and utility lines in the road.

A high wind advisory is posted at Eltham Bridge over the Pamunkey River between the Town of West Point and New Kent County. Additional advisories may be made at other major river crossings in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula throughout the day. Travelers should check 511virginia.org for updates. When a high wind advisory is posted at a bridge, high-profile vehicles such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, and large vans and SUVs are advised to not cross the bridge. Trucks carrying small or empty loads may be especially at risk.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews remain mobilized in emergency response districtwide to clear downed trees and debris from state-maintained roads as needed, with support from tree contractors.

Overnight into early Sunday, icy road conditions are anticipated as temperatures drop below freezing, and any remaining moisture on the road surface from today's rain and snow is expected to freeze. VDOT crews will be treating roads to reduce icing and improve traction, but even with treatment, hazardous, slick road surfaces are possible.

Before starting a trip, motorists should check 511Virginia for real-time road conditions along their planned route. Road conditions may vary around the state, especially north and west of the Fredericksburg District, where several regions received heavier snow accumulation.

High Winds Protocol for Major Bridges, Fredericksburg District

Through Sunday morning, VDOT will be closely monitoring wind speeds at major river crossings in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, including:

• Norris Bridge, which carries Route 3 over the Rappahannock River between Lancaster and Middlesex counties
• Downing Bridge, which carries Route 360 over the Rappahannock River between Richmond County and the Town of Tappahannock
• Route 223 bridge over Milford Haven, which connects mainland Mathews County with Gwynn's Island
• Eltham Bridge, which carries Route 30/Route 33 traffic over the Pamunkey River and connects the Town of West Point and New Kent County
• Lord Delaware Bridge, which carries Route 33 over the Mattaponi River and connects the Town of West Point and King and Queen County

If sustained winds reach 30 mph over a period of 30 minutes, or there are frequent wind gusts of 45 mph or greater, VDOT will post a high winds advisory notice on these bridges.

When sustained winds reach 45 mph or above over a period of 15 minutes, VDOT crews will post a bridge closure notice. However, bridges will not be physically barricaded.

Notices will be posted on message boards staged at the bridges, and communicated through VDOT news releases, VDOT social media platforms, and on 511Virginia.

VDOT’s Customer Service Center

If motorists encounter a downed tree 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).

Additional Information

Follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOT and @VaDOTFRED

Find VDOT Fredericksburg District news releases online on VDOT’s website, www.VirginiaDOT.org, under “Newsroom.”

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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.