VDOT News - Fredericksburg
RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE - 5:15 p.m. Kelly Hannon 540-374-3344 Kelly.Hannon@VDOT.Virginia.Gov (540) 656-0321 cell |
FRED-154311 Jan. 7, 2020 |
FREDERICKSBURG DISTRICT: ICY ROAD CONDITIONS POSSIBLE OVERNIGHT
Road conditions are clear to minor across the Fredericksburg area as snowfall tapers off; VDOT crews remain mobilized to monitor for potential icing overnight
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – While snowfall is slowly tapering off this evening across the Fredericksburg region, motorists are urged to remain alert overnight and early Wednesday for icy road conditions.
Currently, state-maintained roads in the Fredericksburg area are mostly clear with wet, visible pavement. Isolated patches of snow and slush exist in the western areas of Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, which received heavier snow accumulation.
Overnight, temperatures will drop below freezing. Any remaining moisture on the roads will re-freeze, creating very slick travel surfaces.
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews will remain mobilized in emergency response overnight, and will remain at work to monitor roads for icing and hazardous driving conditions. As many as 100 trucks are available as required to apply sand and salt to improve vehicle traction and reduce icing. Crews will stay mobilized in emergency operations, working 24 hours a day, in 12-hour shifts, until all state-maintained roads are safe for travel.
What Motorists Should Know
- Plan to adjust travel as needed based on conditions
- Even on bare pavement, black ice may be present. Ice may appear as a transparent glaze on the pavement and may be invisible to motorists.
- Residents are encouraged to consider that if their driveway or sidewalk is too icy or slick for walking, road conditions may also be slippery
- Check 511virginia.org for real-time road conditions before starting a trip
- Plan to allow extra travel time, reduce your speed, wear your seat belt, and increase following distance between vehicles
- Use additional caution while traveling on bridges, ramps and overpasses, which freeze first due to lower surface temperatures, as well as on roads carrying lighter traffic volumes
VDOT 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) or online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.
Follow VDOT on Twitter at @VaDOT and VDOT Fredericksburg District at @VaDOTFRED.
More on VDOT’s Winter Weather Preparedness
VDOT prepares year-round for winter weather. Learn more about VDOT’s staffing, equipment and materials for the 2019-2020 winter season, and find answers to frequently asked questions on snow removal.
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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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