VDOT News - Fredericksburg
RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE - 3:30 p.m. Kelly Hannon 540-374-3344 Kelly.Hannon@VDOT.Virginia.Gov (540) 656-0321 cell |
FRED-189646 Jan. 2, 2022 |
FREDERICKSBURG DISTRICT: VDOT PREPARED FOR WINTER STORM
Residents and travelers should plan to avoid unnecessary travel once storm begins early Monday morning in the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are finishing preparations this afternoon ahead of a winter storm forecast to create hazardous travel conditions starting early Monday morning in the Fredericksburg area, Northern Neck, and Middle Peninsula.
Residents and travelers are urged to arrive at their destination ahead of the onset of winter weather, and avoid any unnecessary travel once the storm begins.
Snow is anticipated to fall at rates as heavy as two inches per hour, severely limiting motorist visibility of the road ahead. Gusting winds up to 40 mph in the Fredericksburg District may also lead to downed trees, utility lines, and other road hazards.
Nearly 1,300 trucks and pieces of snow removal equipment are available to respond across the 14-county Fredericksburg District as needed.
This weekend, VDOT crews loaded trucks with sand, salt and treatment materials used to reduce icing and improve motorist traction on the road. Snowplows were added to equipment for quick deployment once the storm starts.
Crews will mobilize starting at midnight in Fredericksburg District, and will continue to work in 12-hour rotating shifts, 24 hours a day, until all roads are safe for travel.
During the storm, crews will focus first on treating and plowing roads carrying the most traffic, including interstates and primary roads. Crews may need to make repeated passes on these routes to keep them clear while snow continues to fall.
511Virginia
Motorists are advised to check 511Virginia for real-time road conditions along their route, as conditions may vary significantly between regions of the state.
Call 511, visit 511virginia.org, or download the free mobile 511Virginia app.
VDOT Customer Service Center
If motorists encounter debris or another hazard in the road, do not attempt to remove it.
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.
Social Media
Follow VDOT on Twitter at @VaDOT and VDOT Fredericksburg District at @VaDOTFRED.
On Facebook, visit VDOT’s statewide page or join the VDOT Fredericksburg District group.
Additional Resources
For more information, visit VDOT's Winter Weather Travel page.
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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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