VDOT News - Staunton

STAUNTON – (4:30 p.m.) A high-impact winter weather event moved through the Shenandoah Valley in the pre-dawn hours and into the day on Thursday, February 18. The main portion of the storm has left the area but light amounts of rain and freezing rain are forecasted for later this afternoon and into tonight.

Today most of the area received sleet and snow along with some freezing rain. Untreated roads that have not been plowed have a significant layer of slush, snow and ice making for treacherous driving conditions. Driving in the region should not be attempted unless absolutely necessary. Overnight temperatures will be near freezing sustaining icing and slick conditions on area roads.

If travel is needed, motorists should use reduced speeds and allow for extra time to reach their destination. Drivers should allow for plenty of breaking space between their vehicles and surrounding vehicles. Even plowed and treated roads can remain hazardous for travel. Seatbelts should be used by all travelers.

Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District crews and contractors are plowing and treating roadways throughout today and will continue tonight. Due to the icy and slushy nature of the frozen precipitation that is covering area roadways, it may take crews longer to reach some secondary roads.

VDOT first plows interstates, primary roads and major secondary roads with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high traffic volumes. Secondary roads and subdivision streets are treated in the event of a multi-day storm, but crews focus initially on roadways that are traveled most.

Here are the road conditions as of 4:30 p.m. in the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District:

Interstate 64 – Minor conditions in Alleghany County. Clear conditions in Rockbridge and Augusta counties.

Interstate 66 – Minor conditions in Warren County.

Interstate 81 – Minor conditions in Shenandoah and Frederick counties. Clear conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta and Rockingham counties.

Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Warren County. Minor conditions in Highland, Bath, Alleghany, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Page and Clarke counties. Clear conditions in Rockbridge County.

Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham, Shenandoah, Warren, Clarke and Page counties. Minor conditions in Highland, Bath, Alleghany and Frederick counties.

For winter weather road conditions go to http://www.511Virginia.org, look at the orange bar on the top of the page and click on “Text Views” and then click on “Road Condition Table”. Look at the pull down box that lists all jurisdictions.  In this box individual counties can be chosen to view.

On the go?  Then visit VDOT’s Free Virginia 511 Tools to get your 511 app for android or iOS. Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can be accessed through its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are on site 24/7 every day of the year to assist the public. People can also call the VDOT Customer Service Center at 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623).

The Staunton District Snow Page is on the VDOT website under Travel Center Snow Emergency Pages. The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.

The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.org. 

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

#

Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.
Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.
Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.. 

(END)

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.