VDOT News - Staunton
RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Sandy Myers 540-332-9201 Sandy.Myers@vdot.virginia.gov 540-292-2500 (cell) Ken Slack 540-332-9264 Ken.Slack@vdot.virginia.gov 540-414-5670 (cell) |
STA21-034 Feb. 19, 2021 |
SNOW AND SLUSH TURN TO ICE FRIDAY MORNING IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY
STAUNTON – (4 a.m.) Thursday’s winter storm dumped 1 to 5 inches of wintry mix on roads in the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Northern counties saw mostly snow, while those to the south experienced primarily sleet and freezing rain. Subfreezing temperatures and some additional accumulation overnight have combined to create slick spots on roadways throughout the region early Friday morning. Secondary roads, bridges and overpasses have the most potential for ice.
The Virginia Department of Transportation advises motorists to postpone non-essential travel until temperatures rise well above freezing. Those who must drive should adjust their speed for the icy conditions, allow for much longer stopping distances, and leave extra time to reach their destination. Seatbelts are a must for all travelers.
VDOT continues to plow and treat roadways throughout the 11-county Staunton District. 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 a.m. Friday:
Interstate 64 – Clear conditions in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.
Interstate 66 – Clear conditions in Warren County.
Interstate 81 – Minor conditions in Frederick County. Clear conditions in Rockbridge, Augusta, Rockingham and Shenandoah counties.
Primary roads – Minor conditions in Bath, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties. Clear conditions in Alleghany and Rockbridge counties.
Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren counties. Minor conditions in Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge and Highland counties.
Visit 511Virginia.org to view pavement temperatures, traffic cameras and color-coded maps of road conditions. For conditions in your specific locality, click the Text Views tab and choose the Road Conditions Table on the drop-down menu.
On the go? Then visit VDOT’s Free Virginia 511 Tools to get your 511 app for Android or iOS devices. Obtain traffic alerts and traveler information by dialing 511.
The Staunton District Snow Page is on the VDOT website under Travel Center Snow Emergency Pages. The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton.
Access the VDOT Customer Service Center 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).
Follow VDOT 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.
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Road condition definitions:
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.
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