VDOT News - Fredericksburg
RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE - 3 p.m. Darragh Frye 540-899-4119 Darragh.Frye@VDOT.Virginia.Gov |
FRED-138198 Jan. 29, 2019 |
FREDERICKSBURG DISTRICT: KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING BEFORE IT STARTS SNOWING
Drivers urged to adjust travel with wintry mix expected to impact evening commute
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is urging drivers to plan travel now before the potential mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain begins in the Fredericksburg area, which is expected to start during this evening’s commute.
If travel is absolutely necessary, drivers are encouraged to use extreme caution tonight and tomorrow morning with the anticipation of icy conditions. The safest place during a winter weather storm is at home.
State forces will stay mobilized in emergency operations to clear and treat roads. They will only begin plowing roads once two inches of snow has accumulated on the road surface.
Rain is expected to continue to fall and switch to snow later this afternoon. Hazardous travel conditions are expected to continue overnight into Wednesday’s morning rush hour. As air temperatures fall, pavement temperatures are also expected to drop creating the potential for icy conditions on roadways tonight into early tomorrow.
Icy conditions may occur first on bridges, overpasses, ramps and shaded areas. Slick, slushy road conditions are possible tomorrow morning, especially on secondary routes, hills, curves and neighborhoods.
If you must travel tonight or tomorrow morning, allot for extra travel time, slow down and increase following distance between vehicles. As drivers encounter slow-moving equipment such as sand trucks, slow down and allow operators the right of way.
Motorists should be advised to plan ahead by checking real-time road conditions by visiting www.511Virginia.org or use VDOT’s 511Virginia free mobile app.
Additional VDOT Information Sources
- Find VDOT Fredericksburg District news releases online on VDOT’s website, VirginiaDOT.org, under “Newsroom.”
- Follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOT and @VaDOTFRED
- Connect with us on Facebook on our VDOT page, and VDOT Fredericksburg District group page.
VDOT’s Customer Service Center
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).
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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.
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