FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Motorists planning to travel are advised if possible to avoid travel tonight, Friday, Dec. 23, due to the flash freeze risk and high winds or adjust their travel time based on road and weather conditions along their route. Roads may be more severe based on forecasts north and west of the Fredericksburg area.

Air temperatures will begin to fall today and stay below freezing over the weekend as well as pavement temperatures will grow colder, which can cause the potential for a flash freeze risk on any wet pavement. This may cause slick, hazardous road conditions. Icy conditions may occur first on bridges, overpasses, ramps, elevated surfaces, and in shaded areas.

High winds with gusts surpassing 40 mph, are expected to continue into tomorrow, Dec. 24, which could cause the potential for advisories. Crews are continuing to monitor wind speeds at the bridges in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. Crews are also monitoring for downed trees and debris on state-maintained roads.

Travelers should check 511Virginia for updates. High wind advisories may be posted for the bridges. When a high wind advisory is posted at a bridge, high-profile vehicles such as tractor-trailers, box trucks, large vans, and SUVs are advised not to cross the bridge. Trucks carrying small or empty loads may be especially at risk.

High Winds Protocol for Major Bridges, Fredericksburg District

Through Saturday morning, Dec. 24, VDOT will be closely monitoring wind speeds at major river crossings in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, including:

• Eltham Bridge, which carries Route 30/33 over the Pamunkey River between the Town of West Point and New Kent County
• 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
• 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 winds advisory notice on these bridges.

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.

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are mobilized in emergency operations today along Interstate 95 and across the Fredericksburg area. Crews will continue to circulate through Saturday morning to monitor road conditions and treat roads with sand and salt as needed for icy or slippery surfaces that develop. Crews will also continue to monitor state-maintained roads for downed trees and debris.

With extremely low temperatures expected tonight, motorists, if traveling, should pack an emergency kit and blankets, and have mobile devices fully charged in the event of a breakdown or emergency.

VDOT’s Customer Service Center

If motorists encounter a downed tree or another hazard in the road, do not attempt to move it. VDOT’s Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day to answer questions and take reports of roadway hazards at my.vdot.virginia.gov or by phone at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).

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.

Visit VDOT’s winter weather page for more information about winter weather preparations and response.

511Virginia

Motorists can find real-time information on lane closures, work zones, traffic and other incidents on 511Virginia.

Download the free mobile 511Virginia app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, or visit www.511Virginia.org.

Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 when they are not operating a motor vehicle or while using a hands-free device. Do not use a handheld cell phone or mobile device while driving (it’s the law).

(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.