Virginia motorists urged to travel Saturday before winter weather impacts roads

(WSET) — Motorists planning to travel to or through Virginia this weekend, including those returning home from holiday travel or heading back to school, should plan to travel on Saturday, ahead of predicted winter weather expected to impact roads Sunday into Monday, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

VDOT states they will continue to pretreat roads in areas across the commonwealth where winter weather is expected. A mix of salt and water, called brine, is used to help prevent a bond from forming between the pavement and icy precipitation, making it helpful for crews to make roads passable. In some areas, crews are already treating roads impacted by Friday’s weather event. Pretreatment may not occur in areas where rain is expected ahead of snow and ice, as rain would wash away treatment making it ineffective.

With colder temperatures forecasted to remain low throughout and following the storm, hazardous travel conditions are expected.

It is best not to travel during, but if travel is essential, VDOT suggests these tips:

• Monitor the forecast for your planned route and limit travel based on roadway conditions.
• Allow more time to reach your destination.
• Drive at lower speeds and keep a safe distance of at least five seconds behind other vehicles and trucks that are plowing the road.
• Don’t pass a snowplow or spreader unless it is absolutely necessary. Treat these as you would emergency response vehicles.
• Use caution in locations where pavement freezes first, including bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas.
• Keep an emergency supply kit in your car at all times in case of a breakdown or stoppage.

VDOT is responsible for snow removal on all state-maintained roads, while all cities and some towns maintain their roads.

Snow removal priorities are as follows:

• The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are VDOT’s first priority.
• Primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) and major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and up)with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow.
• Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.

Before traveling, individuals can check roadway conditions by using VDOT’s 511 mobile app. It offers information about road conditions, traffic, incidents, construction and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visitingmy.vdot.virginia.govor calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).