VDOT News - Richmond

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. – Snow has transitioned to rain or freezing rain for most of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Richmond District. Crews continue to treat interstate and major routes in the district to prevent ice buildup and give vehicles traction. As of 3 p.m. Sunday, most routes in the Richmond District are in minor to moderate condition, meaning snow or ice covering patches or major portions of the roadway. Conditions will continue to change throughout the evening, so drivers are asked to avoid nonessential travel Sunday night.

Crews continue working to clear shoulders, ramps and loops on interstates in the district, which are in moderate condition. Once interstate and primary routes (numbered 1-599) are safe and passable, crews will move on to subdivisions and low-volume secondary routes (numbered 600+), plowing where accumulations have reached two inches or more and treating slick spots.

Tonight, crews will continue patrolling state routes for travel impacts and treat any slick conditions with salt to melt ice and sand to enhance traction. Crews will work in 12-hour rotating shifts, in 24-hour operations until roads are safe and passable.

Tree crews will remain on standby through the night to handle any fallen trees that impact roads.

“We will be watching for, and treating, slick spots throughout Sunday evening and night,” said Gary Jennings, Acting Richmond District Maintenance Engineer. “Drivers should be on the lookout for refreeze Sunday night and Monday morning. Our crews will be working around the clock to address any slick conditions that may occur.”

As a reminder to drivers, even though pavement looks bare, sleet and freezing rain combined with cold temperatures may still present a hazard. If travel is essential, reduce your speed and use extra caution. Remember that bridges and overpasses freeze before roadways, and if there is snow or ice on roadways, travel is hazardous.

When winter weather operations conclude, crews will resume tree debris removal operations from the winter storm that impacted the Commonwealth on Monday, January 3. Tree debris from last week’s storm has been relocated to the shoulders, and is not currently blocking travel lanes.

Tips for drivers and residents

• Motorists are encouraged to stay at home or limit their driving, especially overnight, since temperatures may drop and create icy road conditions. 
• By drivers staying off the roads during a storm, VDOT crews are able to treat the roads more safely and efficiently.

Information resources

511 Virginia

Before traveling, you can get the latest 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.