VDOT News - Richmond

SOUTH CHESTERFIELD, Va. – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Richmond District crews continued to monitor and treat slick spots Friday night into Saturday morning following Friday’s winter weather and in preparation for an ice storm in the forecast Saturday. Interstates and primary routes (numbered 1-599) are currently in clear condition and secondary routes (numbered 600+) are in minor condition, except for the southernmost counties which are clear. However, conditions are beginning to become more challenging while temperatures remain below freezing and wet pavement persists.

Wet pavement and low temperatures are starting to result in refreeze – especially on bridges and overpasses which are most susceptible. VDOT continues to urge drivers to postpone nonessential travel until the ice threat ends, as conditions during and after the ice storm are likely to be hazardous. 

For those that must travel, VDOT advises that drivers pay close attention to local forecasts, slow down and leave plenty of space between vehicles.

Towing contractors are staged in a few strategic locations to assist with traffic incidents. Tree crews are on standby to remove debris from travel lanes. Fallen trees and power lines across roadways remain a concern for the impending ice storm, as well as extremely hazardous roadway conditions. There is no safe way to drive in icy conditions, so the safest place for drivers today is at home.

Road Condition Definitions

During winter storms, road conditions are present on 511Virginia using three ratings: minor, moderate and severe. These terms are defined as the following:

• Minor: Potential for patches of ice and snow on roadway; passable with caution.
  
• Moderate: Snow or ice is covering major portions of the roadway; passable with caution.
  
• Severe: A significant accumulation of snow or ice is blocking the roadway; conditions are hazardous.

Information resources

511 Virginia

Before traveling, you can get the latest traffic conditions by using 511 Virginia. Call 511 from any phone in Virginia, visit www.511virginia.org or download the free mobile app at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/511.asp#app.

Social media

Twitter: For area information, follow @VaDOTRVA and @511centralva

Facebook: Visit VDOT’s statewide page and follow the Richmond District group: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaDOT

Customer service center

Report road hazards or ask road-related questions at VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or using the online form available at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/ 

Additional resources

For more winter driving information, please visit VDOT's winter weather page. 

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VDOT’s Richmond District oversees snow removal activities on approximately 19,000 lane miles of roads in 14 counties in central Virginia: Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico (primary routes only), Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, New Kent, Nottoway, Powhatan and Prince George counties. Henrico County provides snow removal for their secondary roads (numbered 600 and above) and subdivision streets. Cities that provide their own snow removal include Colonial Heights, Hopewell, Petersburg and Richmond, and the towns of Ashland, Blackstone, Chase City and South Hill.

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.