| RELEASE: CONTACT: |
IMMEDIATE Tamara Neale 804-786-6458 Tamara.Neale@VDOT.Virginia.gov |
CO-snow12-05 Dec. 4, 2005 |
VDOT FORCES MOBILIZED FOR WINTER WEATHER
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is prepared and ready to go to clear roads with snow expected to fall across Virginia tonight. The snow is forecast to arrive in the southwestern part of the state and move eastward, reaching Central Virginia after midnight. Snow is expected to fall statewide with the southwestern region receiving a possible six to eight inches.
Snow removal priorities:
VDOT treats and clears interstate highways and other major roadways first where traffic volume is the highest, then crews plow the lower-volume primary roads and finally the secondary and subdivision streets.
Snow removal responsibilities:
VDOT is responsible for clearing snow and ice from more than 57,300 miles of roads across the state. This includes interstate highways, most major roads and county roads, including subdivision streets. Cities and towns are responsible for clearing an additional 10,360 miles of their local urban roads and city streets. Henrico and Arlington counties clear roads within their jurisdictions.
Snow resources:
VDOT has approximately 3,500 pieces of snow-removal equipment and 3,900 crewmembers for snow removal operations across the state.
Snow budget:
The statewide budget for preparations and snow removal for the 2004-2005 winter season is $81.4 million
Past expenditures for snow removal -
2004-2005 $79 million
2003-2004 $84 million
2002-2003 $144 million
2001-2002 $46 million
2000-2001 $68 million
1999-2000 $75 million
Snow information:
Before heading out, call 511 for the latest road condition information or visit www.VirginiaDOT.org.
Winter driving tips:
Make sure your vehicle is winter ready.
Keep an emergency driving kit in your car and wear your seatbelt.
Keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles.
Do not attempt to pass snowplows and stay at least 100 feet behind them.
Be aware of potentially icy areas such as shady spots and bridges.
When driving on ice, don’t slam on your brakes. Travel gently. Turn slowly. Sudden changes can cause your car to spin out of control.
Don’t park along the street. Snow plow drivers can’t fully clear a road if cars are in their way.
If possible, avoid unnecessary travel when crews are clearing snow and ice from the roadways.
Snow removal priorities:
VDOT treats and clears interstate highways and other major roadways first where traffic volume is the highest, then crews plow the lower-volume primary roads and finally the secondary and subdivision streets.
Snow removal responsibilities:
VDOT is responsible for clearing snow and ice from more than 57,300 miles of roads across the state. This includes interstate highways, most major roads and county roads, including subdivision streets. Cities and towns are responsible for clearing an additional 10,360 miles of their local urban roads and city streets. Henrico and Arlington counties clear roads within their jurisdictions.
Snow resources:
VDOT has approximately 3,500 pieces of snow-removal equipment and 3,900 crewmembers for snow removal operations across the state.
Snow budget:
The statewide budget for preparations and snow removal for the 2004-2005 winter season is $81.4 million
Past expenditures for snow removal -
2004-2005 $79 million
2003-2004 $84 million
2002-2003 $144 million
2001-2002 $46 million
2000-2001 $68 million
1999-2000 $75 million
Snow information:
Before heading out, call 511 for the latest road condition information or visit www.VirginiaDOT.org.
Winter driving tips:
Page last modified: Dec. 5, 2005
