COLONIAL HEIGHTS, Va.—With wintery conditions expected in central Virginia Sunday night and into Monday, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Richmond District will have crews on standby to clear roads as needed. Latest forecasts show a mix of snow, rain and freezing rain will begin to fall late Sunday afternoon and will continue through Monday. This could potentially affect the Monday morning rush hour. VDOT will continue to monitor the forecast over the weekend and will adjust manpower as needed.

During a winter storm, snow removal crews give first priority to the interstates and primary roads. Once the snow stops falling and these major roads are clear, crews begin working on roads with lower traffic volumes, such as subdivision streets and secondary roads.

For snow-removal activities, the Richmond District has about 660 employees available to operate heavy equipment, repair equipment or staff offices in various locations. More than 880 pieces of snow removal equipment are strategically placed throughout the district, and on-call private contractors are available to supplement VDOT’s efforts if additional help is needed to plow and clear roads. VDOT considers snow removal an emergency operation with crews working around the clock in 12-hour shifts to plow snow-covered roads, repair worn-out equipment and answer phone calls from the public. The district has $9.6 million budgeted for snow removal this winter. Last year, snow removal in the Richmond District cost nearly $4.7 million, primarily due to the mild winter.

To prepare for winter weather, VDOT’s snowplow drivers already have honed their skills in driving competitions and have tested their vehicles in “dry runs” on their designated roadways. Also, stockpiles of salt and abrasives are on-hand and ready for use. More than 46,600 tons of salt, 20,000 tons of sand, 25,000 gallons of liquid calcium chloride and 47,700 gallons of liquid magnesium chloride are stored throughout the 14 counties. These stockpiles are replaced as necessary during the winter.

VDOT’s snow-removal efforts are not just about plows and salt. In recent years, technology has taken an increasingly important role in keeping motorists safe during snowy weather. VDOT employs modern technological advances to help keep Virginia travelers safe, keep businesses open and minimize school closures. Some examples include:

• VDOT’s Central Region Smart Traffic Center which monitors traffic conditions 24 hours a day and keeps motorists informed of incidents, detours and other road-related information.
• Spraying liquid calcium chloride and magnesium chloride on bridges and pavements before a storm starts to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement.
• A statewide network of 41 weather sensors in roadways and bridges that allow VDOT maintenance crews to quickly identify when and where road surfaces might be freezing. There are nine pavement sensors in the Richmond area that are strategically located along the interstates, bridges and major highways.
• Real-time traveler information drawn from crew observations, State Police dispatchers, pavement sensors, traffic cameras and other tools that is conveyed to the public using 511 and www.511Virginia.org. This ensures that motorists can make informed travel decisions during wintry weather.

VDOT manages snow removal on interstates and state-maintained roads in most of the district’s 14-county region. Henrico County provides snow removal for their secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and above) and subdivision streets. Cities that provide their own snow removal include Richmond, Colonial Heights, Petersburg and Hopewell, and the towns of Ashland, South Hill, Chase City and Blackstone.

For the latest on road conditions and traffic during winter storms or any day of the year, call 511 or visit www..511Virginia.org. For more information about VDOT snow efforts, and to find driving tips and other information, visit www.VirginiaDOT.org.



VDOT offers the following tips for driving in snowy conditions:

• Before you begin your trip, know the current road conditions and weather forecasts.
• Call 511 or visit www.511Virginia.org for road conditions along the interstates and many primary roads.
• Make sure your windows, mirrors and lights are clear of ice and snow.
• Always wear your seat belt.
• Allow extra time to travel to your destination.
• Be aware of potentially icy areas such as bridges, overpasses and shady spots. Also, if there is heavy snow, ice or high winds, be alert to potential driving hazards including downed branches, trees and electric lines.
• Reduce speed as appropriate and keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and snowplows.
• Do not pass a snowplow unless it is absolutely necessary. Remember, the plow is clearing a path for you.
• Do not park along the street if possible. Snowplow drivers can't fully clear the road if cars are in the way.
• Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your car. The kit should include a small bag of rock salt, sand or cat litter to provide traction in case you get stuck, a snowbrush and ice scraper, a flashlight, battery booster cables, a blanket and extra clothing.
• Practice common sense. Remember that your car cannot start, stop, or turn as quickly and surely on snow or ice as it does on dry pavement, so think and drive accordingly.

• To avoid extra work, it is best not to shovel your driveway until after a snow plow passes.
• When you do shovel, always shovel snow to the right of your driveway when you are facing the street. That way the plow will not push the snow you shoveled back across the end of your driveway as it passes.
  

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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.

Page last modified: Jan. 17, 2008