VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER — The Virginia Department of Transportation asks those who venture out this morning to use caution and take it slow, especially on secondary roads where packed snow has frozen hard to the road surface.

VDOT crews continue to address subdivision streets and other secondary routes. Today, crews will remove snow from any remaining unplowed routes, as well as return to widen roads that have received an initial pass. Nearly all secondary roads in the nine-county Culpeper District are passable, but will remain covered with ice and hard-packed snow for some time. Drivers should use extreme caution in these areas.

Motorists should also be alert for pedestrians walking in the travel lanes since most sidewalks and road shoulders are piled with snow.

High snow piles at intersections and private entrances may limit drivers’ line of sight, presenting a safety hazard. Once VDOT completes plowing, crews will begin removing snow from those locations to improve sight distance.

What residents should know

• Plows will provide a path through neighborhoods that is drivable with caution for an average passenger vehicle. The path will not be curb-to-curb or bare pavement, and may remain uneven and rutted, especially with refreezing overnight.
• Chemicals are not typically used in subdivisions, but crews will sand hills, curves and intersections as needed to provide traction.
• In many neighborhoods, front-end loaders and motor graders will be required to move snow where there is not enough room to push the snow off the streets.
• Crews are asked to be mindful of pushing large piles onto driveways, but in an extreme storm that can be an unintended consequence of making roads passable. VDOT cannot return to clear snow from private driveways.

If you have questions or concerns about VDOT’s snow removal operations call (800) 367-ROAD. VDOT’s Customer Service Center is staffed around the clock and the information will be directed to the appropriate work unit. You may experience extended wait times due to the volume of calls resulting from the storm.

Stay abreast of road conditions by calling 511 or visiting 511Virginia.org. Additional information about VDOT’s winter-weather preparations and response can be found at www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp.

(END)

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.