VDOT News - Richmond

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Richmond District crews are mobilized and ready for snow, sleet, ice and rain forecasted for Sunday. Snow could fall quickly, and ice accumulation totals have increased for most of the Richmond District. Drivers should delay non-essential travel during and after the storm, until road conditions improve.

Early Sunday morning, crews began working in 12-hour rotating shifts, and will remain in that posture for 24 hours a day, until roads are safe and passable.

The Richmond District has 1,400 pieces of equipment, including trucks, plows, tractors and motor graders, ready to address road impacts during and after the storm. With ice in the forecast, crews will be on the lookout for fallen trees and power lines impacting roads during and after the storm. Crews will work closely with utility providers to remove downed power lines as quickly and safely as possible.

“We finished pretreating all interstate and major routes in the Richmond District on Saturday with a saltwater brine to prevent ice from bonding with the pavement,” said Gary Jennings, Acting Richmond District Maintenance Engineer. “Our crews are ready to plow or treat any snow or ice that accumulates. It’s important that drivers delay travel on Sunday and watch for refreeze Sunday night and Monday morning. While the rain may cut down on snow accumulations on the roads, it’s critical to remember that bare pavement does not mean that there is no risk. Pavement temperatures remain low, and ice will be a major concern for the district.”

Interstate and primary routes (route numbers 1-599) will be addressed first, followed by secondary and neighborhood routes. Plows will be used on any snow that has reached 2 or more inches, and salt and sand will be applied to impacted routes as needed.

Crews are still cleaning up tree debris from the winter storm that impacted the Commonwealth on Monday, January 3 on some secondary routes (route numbers 600+) in Goochland, Powhatan and western Hanover counties. Tree operations have been suspended until the storm today clears, but will pick back up when the weather event is over.

Tips for drivers and residents

• Snow, ice, sleet and rain is forecasted to enter the Commonwealth throughout the day Sunday. Precipitation combined with freezing temperatures will create treacherous driving conditions. Please avoid nonessential travel Sunday and into Monday, as even wet road conditions may turn icy.
• Follow safety guidance from local officials and resources. The safest place to be during a winter weather event is indoors, and this gives VDOT crews added room to complete plowing and treating operations.
• Bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways, and if there is snow or ice on roadways, travel is hazardous. Use extreme caution today if you must be on the roadways.
• If travel is essential, remove all snow from your vehicle, including the roof. Reduce your speed and do not follow other vehicles too closely. Leave yourself plenty of room to stop, and avoid braking suddenly.

Information resources

511 Virginia
Before traveling, you can get the latest traffic conditions by using 511 Virginia. Call 511 from any phone in Virginia, visit www.511virginia.org or download the free mobile app at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/511.asp#app.

Social media
Twitter: For area information, follow @VaDOTRVA and @511centralva
Facebook: Visit VDOT’s statewide page and follow the Richmond District group: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaDOT

Customer service center
Report road hazards or ask road-related questions at VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or using the online form available at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/.

Additional resources
For more winter driving information, please visit VDOT's winter weather page. 

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VDOT’s Richmond District oversees snow removal activities on approximately 19,000 lane miles of roads in 14 counties in central Virginia: Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico (primary routes only), Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Nottoway, Powhatan and Prince George counties. Henrico County provides snow removal for their secondary roads (numbered 600 and above) and subdivision streets. Cities that provide their own snow removal include Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, and the towns of Ashland, Blackstone, Chase City and South Hill.

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.