VDOT road crews are mobilizing for major storm

Today, Monday, Feb. 16, Virginia Department of Transportation crews are aggressively pre-treating roads throughout Prince William, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Arlington counties in advance of tonight’s heavy snow. By 4 p.m. more than 3,800 trucks will be staged along interstates, major roads and neighborhood streets, according to a news release from VDOT.  Motorists urged to stay off roads while crews work, the release said.

“Frigid temperatures will be a challenge for road crews as chemicals are less effective below 20 degrees,”  Branco Vlacich, assistant district engineer for maintenance in northern Virginia, was quoted as saying in the news release. “Motorists can expect treacherous conditions and are urged to stay off the roads.”

What VDOT wants motorists to know

• Drivers are strongly advised to stay off roads tonight and tomorrow morning.

• Crews will plow and treat interstates, major roads and neighborhoods concurrently.

• Once two inches have fallen, residents can enter their address at http://www.vdotplows.org to see the status of plowing in their neighborhood.

• Park in your driveway or on the odd-numbered side of the street to allow plows room to pass.

• When shoveling, leave the last few feet at the curb until the street is plowed, as the truck will push some snow back. Shovel to the right facing the road.

• Chemicals are not used in subdivisions, but crews sand hills, curves and intersections to provide traction. For most storms, one snowplow pass, about eight to ten feet wide, is made.

Resources
• Check http://www.511virginia.org for road conditions
• Check neighborhood status beginning this afternoon at http://www.vdotplows.org
• Get more details on snow removal in northern Virginia
• Follow VDOT Northern Virginia on Twitter: @vadotnova