VDOT warns of icy morning commute

After Monday’s unseasonably cold wintry weather, VDOT is warning drivers to avoid travel until temperatures rise and VDOT crews and contractors have had the chance to retreat roadways.

Both air and road temperatures dropped overnight and into the morning hours. Any remaining snow on roadways froze and created hazardous conditions. Refreeze will also occur where snow and ice melt on the pavement and then freeze again. Crews will continue to patrol and treat state-maintained roads with salt and sand.

VDOT prioritizes state-maintained roads that carry the most traffic for snow treatment and removal. The agency works to make most primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) safe first. Crews also focus on major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and higher) with vital emergency and public facilities or those with high traffic volumes. Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.

If travel is absolutely necessary, drivers should use extreme caution. Check roadway conditions by using VDOT’s free 511 mobile app, which offers information about road conditions, traffic, incidents, construction and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more. Information is also available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov or by calling 511 while in Virginia.