VDOT News - Fredericksburg

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Snow has tapered off and a wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet and rain has started to fall across the Fredericksburg District.

Travelers are urged to remain off the roads this evening with the potential for slick, icy conditions to develop from freezing rain and sleet. Gusting winds overnight will bring a risk of downed trees and debris, and steady rain is expected to cause flooding along the coast and in low-lying areas.

For the latest road conditions, check 511Virginia.

Fredericksburg Area

Interstate 95 and primary roads are in moderate condition in the Fredericksburg area, with passable travel lanes partially covered in snow and slush. Plow trains are working to make repeated passes along I-95 to increase the amount of visible pavement and open travel lanes. There are no major incidents on I-95 at this time, and traffic is flowing in both directions. Around 130 pieces of equipment are mobilized for snow removal and road treatment operations along I-95 in the Fredericksburg area.

Secondary roads in the Fredericksburg area are also in moderate condition, and are partially snow-covered. As crews make progress clearing primary routes this evening, plows will then begin to visit lower-volume secondary and subdivision roads to make them passable.

Even as roads are plowed, crews will intensify the spreading of sand and salt to address icy conditions overnight. Motorists are urged to continue to delay travel overnight, as even roads appearing clear may be slick.

Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula

In the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, primary roads are mostly in minor condition, with isolated areas of snow and slush coverage, except for King George County, where roads are in moderate condition, similar to the Fredericksburg area.

On the eastern end of the Middle Peninsula, primary roads are clear in Gloucester and Mathews counties.

High Winds Protocol for Major Bridges

VDOT will be monitoring wind speeds overnight on major river crossings in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, including:

• Norris Bridge, which carries Route 3 over the Rappahannock River between Lancaster and Middlesex counties
• Downing Bridge, which carries Route 360 over the Rappahannock River between Richmond County and the Town of Tappahannock
• Route 223 bridge over Milford Haven, which connects mainland Mathews County with Gwynn's Island
• Eltham Bridge, which carries Route 30/Route 33 traffic over the Pamunkey River and connects the Town of West Point and New Kent County
• Lord Delaware Bridge, which carries Route 33 over the Mattaponi River and connects the Town of West Point and King and Queen County

If sustained winds reach 30 mph over a period of 30 minutes, or there are frequent wind gusts of 45 mph or greater, VDOT will post a high wind advisory notice on these bridges.

High-profile vehicles such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, and large vans and SUVs are advised to not cross the bridge when an advisory is posted. Trucks carrying small or empty loads may be especially at risk.

When sustained winds reach 45 mph or above over a period of 15 minutes, VDOT crews will post a bridge closure notice. However, bridges will not be physically barricaded.

Notices will be posted on message boards staged at the bridges, and communicated through VDOT news releases, VDOT social media platforms, and on 511Virginia.

The Route 223 bridge to Gwynn's Island in Mathews will be closed to marine traffic openings between 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, and 6 a.m. Monday, Jan. 17.

Emergency Response Continues

More than 20 tree contractors are in position to assist crews with downed trees and debris removal as needed overnight.

VDOT crews will stay mobilized in emergency operations to treat roads, plow snow, and respond to debris 24 hours a day until all roads are safe for travel.

511Virginia

Call 511, visit https://www.511Virginia.org, or use VDOT’s 511Virginia free mobile app to find real-time road conditions in any area of the state.

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) and online at my.vdot.virginia.gov.

VDOT Online Snow Plow Tracker

VDOT’s online snow plow tracking map will be activated once 2 inches of snow or more has accumulated.

VDOT and contractor trucks are equipped with automatic vehicle location technology, and can be monitored on the tracker during snow removal operations.

Additional Information

Follow VDOT on Twitter @VaDOT and @VaDOTFRED
Connect with us on Facebook on our VDOT page, and VDOT Fredericksburg District group page.
Find VDOT Fredericksburg District news releases online on VDOT’s website, www.VirginiaDOT.org, under “Newsroom.”

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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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