VDOT News - Culpeper

CULPEPER (10 p.m.) — The Virginia Department of Transportation is cautioning drivers to expect slick conditions Tuesday morning since cold temperatures overnight will  likely freeze any moisture remaining on the roads. VDOT crews across Central Virginia will be available to respond to any reports of icing on the region’s roads.

Meanwhile, Culpeper District VDOT crews and contractors will continue working overnight to plow secondary roads and neighborhood streets. All roads should be opened with at least one pass of a plow by late tonight or early Tuesday morning. At that point roads may be passable but residents should consider whether their vehicles are capable of traveling on the packed snow and ice surface remaining on many roads.

VDOT and contractor crews will continue working to widen the initial passes made on secondary roads and open shoulders, ramps and intersections on all systems. That work is anticipated to continue around the clock for the next several days. On major primary routes and the interstates that work will be done at night when there is much less traffic.

Along with slick conditions motorists are likely to see heavier traffic volumes Tuesday morning as people who have been snowed in are able to return to work. In many areas pedestrians walking in the travel lanes present an additional hazard. Until sidewalks and shoulders are cleaned motorists should be alert for those pedestrians.

Decreased sight distances due to high snow piles at intersections and private entrances also present a safety hazard. Once VDOT completes plowing, crews will begin removing snow from those locations to improve the sight distances.

Ice and hard-packed snow will remain on many secondary roads, including unpaved rural routes, for some time. Drivers should use extreme caution on those roads.

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 (7623). 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.

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