VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER — The Virginia Department of Transportation is ready with all hands on deck for a major snow and ice storm to hit the Commonwealth tomorrow morning.  Crews in VDOT's Culpeper District finished pretreating Interstate 64, I-66 and major highways across the district yesterday with a brine solution that will help melt precipitation as it begins. Once the snow arrives, plows and heavy equipment will begin clearing interstates and primary roads.  

VDOT is urging the public to complete preparations for the storm today so they do not have to travel during the snow, sleet, and freezing rain.. For those who must travel, be prepared with essential items, including:

• Keep at least a half-tank of fuel in the vehicle
• Keep a blanket in the vehicle 
• Keep winter clothing in the vehicle: Winter coat, heavy shoes or boots, gloves and a hat
• A snow shovel and a bag of sand or cat litter
• Jumper cables, a flashlight and batteries, ice scraper, phone charger and map (in case your phone battery goes dead)
• Non-perishable snacks and water 

Those who must be on the road during the storm should reduce speed, increase following distance and use VDOT’s free 511 tools to find out about road conditions along the route. 

VDOT crews will report to work Sunday morning to complete preparations. Once precipitation begins falling, VDOT snowplow operators and contract crews will treat roads with salt and sand to aid melting and improve traction. If snow accumulates to about two inches, the plows will push the snow off the roadways. Crews will work around the clock to clear roads, beginning with interstates and primary highways, then shifting to secondary roads and neighborhoods once the main roads are passable. 

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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