VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews made progress this morning plowing snow and improving travel conditions on major corridors across the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

This afternoon, operations will shift more resources to clearing secondary roads and residential areas.

Interstate 95 is currently clear. Primary roads are in minor condition, with visible pavement and isolated patches of snow. Crews continue to clear remaining snow on major routes in spots that carry less vehicle traffic, such turn lanes, crossovers and intersections.

Crews have made initial passes to plow snow and apply sand and salt to many lower-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets, but additional equipment will be dedicated to improving conditions in these areas this afternoon. Secondary roads are in moderate condition, with partial snow coverage.

Around two to six inches of snow accumulated across the Fredericksburg District between Thursday night and Friday morning. And as crews work to clear roads from last night's snow, preparations are underway to position materials and equipment for a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet beginning Friday night and continuing all day Saturday, creating another round of hazardous road conditions. Significant icing is anticipated tonight and tomorrow with the next wave of inclement weather.

Motorists should continue to delay unnecessary travel. If there is ice or snow on the road, travel is hazardous; motorists should avoid travel during the storm.

With up to 1,200 pieces of equipment available in Fredericksburg District, VDOT crews have the staff and treatment materials needed to treat road surfaces and plow any accumulating snow or slush from this storm. Crews will remain at work around the clock this weekend until state-maintained roads are safe for travel.

What Motorists Should Know

• Check road conditions before starting a trip on Friday, and through the upcoming weekend: Call 511, visit www.511virginia.org or download the free mobile 511Virginia app to see real-time road conditions around the state, and view traffic cameras. Additional inclement weather is forecast for Fredericksburg District for Friday evening and Saturday, including freezing rain, sleet and potential icing.

• Give VDOT crews space to work. Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind trucks and other equipment that are plowing or treating the road. Do not pass a snowplow or spreader.

• Snowplow status updates: VDOT Fredericksburg District has activated its online snow plow tracker map at vdotplows.org. All VDOT-owned and contracted plows are equipped with Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL), allowing them to be monitored on the snowplow tracker.

• Street parking: Residents can help by parking vehicles in driveways or as far onto the road shoulder as they can. This provides the most space for snowplows to completely remove snow from the travel lanes on passes through a neighborhood.

• Shoveling a driveway? Remember to shovel to the right while facing the street. This will reduce the amount of double work that may be required after a snowplow makes a pass along your street. Watch a VDOT video explaining how to avoid having snow pushed back into the end of your driveway.

Road Condition Definitions

During winter storms, road conditions are present on 511Virginia using three ratings: minor, moderate and severe. These terms are defined as the following:

Minor: Potential for patches of ice and snow on roadway; Passable with caution.

Moderate: Snow or ice is covering major portions of the roadway; Passable with caution.

Severe: A significant accumulation of snow or ice is blocking the roadway; Conditions are hazardous.

VDOT 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) or online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.

Social Media

Follow VDOT on Twitter at @VaDOT and VDOT Fredericksburg District at @VaDOTFRED.

On Facebook, visit VDOT’s statewide page or join the VDOT Fredericksburg District group.

Merry Point and Sunnybank Ferries

Service on the Merry Point Ferry and Sunnybank Ferry will be suspended on Friday, Feb. 12, due to inclement weather. For service updates after Friday, check 511Virginia.

(END)

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.