VDOT News - Richmond

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. – Scattered icy road conditions have been reported in the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Richmond District Thursday morning. Overnight, temperatures dropped below freezing and, combined with wet pavement, developed black ice in some areas. These conditions should be expected until temperatures rise and pavement dries.

Richmond District crews continue to monitor roads and treat slick spots, as needed, with salt and sand. Working closely with first responders on several crashes in the district this morning, VDOT urges drivers to delay travel, if possible, until conditions improve.  

If you must drive this morning:

• Black ice is difficult to see on roads. Use extra caution, reduce speed and allow a greater following distance between yourself and vehicles ahead. 
• Areas where air circulates more freely are more likely to develop black ice when pavement is wet. Use extra caution on bridges, overpasses, turns and ramps.
• If you begin to skid, do not brake. Take your foot off the gas and steer the vehicle in the direction you want to go. 
• Report icy conditions to VDOT by calling 800-367-7623 or visiting https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/.  

Information resources

511 Virginia

Before traveling, you can get the latest road and traffic conditions by using 511 Virginia. Call 511 from any phone in Virginia, visit www.511virginia.org or download the free mobile app at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/511.asp#app.

Social media

Twitter: For area information, follow @VaDOTRVA and @511centralva

Facebook: Visit VDOT’s statewide page and follow the Richmond District group: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaDOT

Customer service center

Report road hazards or ask road-related questions at VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or using the online form available at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/ 

Additional resources

For more winter driving information, please visit VDOT's winter weather page. 

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VDOT’s Richmond District oversees snow removal activities on approximately 19,000 lane miles of roads in 14 counties in central Virginia: Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico (primary routes only), Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Nottoway, Powhatan and Prince George counties. Henrico County provides snow removal for their secondary roads (numbered 600 and above) and subdivision streets. Cities that provide their own snow removal include Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, and the towns of Ashland, Blackstone, Chase City and South Hill.

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.