VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER — Crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation are clearing major highways across the Culpeper District, and most secondary roads and neighborhood streets remain snow-covered. VDOT advises postponing non-essential travel until later this morning when temperatures will rise above freezing.

The overnight snow was particularly heavy in the Charlottesville region, with bands of heavy snow extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains east through Fluvanna and Louisa counties. To the north, from Culpeper and Fauquier County north into Northern Virginia, roads are reported in clear to minor condition.

VDOT and contract snow-removal crews are focusing their operations on interstate and primary highways, and will shift onto secondary routes later this morning as the main roads are cleared.

Driving on snow-covered or icy roads is dangerous and should be avoided. If you must travel:  

• Clear your vehicle of all snow and ice including the roof
• Give plows room to work. Stay back from VDOT trucks and contract crews
• Drive for the conditions by reducing speed and increasing following distance
• Brake gently. Remember, it takes longer to stop in snow and ice
• Stay in control. Make smooth, precise movements with the steering wheel and anticipate lane changes, turns, and curves well in advance
• Use VDOT’s free 511 toolsto check road conditions along your route and at your destination

VDOT is monitoring the chance for additional winter weather with the potential for ice accumulation on Saturday and again early next week.  Residents should do the same since these weather systems have the potential to severely disrupt travel over next few days.

VDOT’s Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and take reports of roadway hazards. Call 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or contact us online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.

Additional information about winter-weather preparations and response can be found at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp. Local updates are posted to Twitter.com/VaDOTCulp and the district’s snow emergency webpage.

The Culpeper District includes the counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock.

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