VDOT working on Interstates & main roads

Motorists should continue to avoid all nonessential travel until after the storm ends Monday and road conditions improve. The longer people stay off the roads, the more progress snow plow operators and contractors with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) can make.

After snow ended overnight, one to three inches of sleet has been reported since 4 a.m. Sunday.

Crews are working in 12-hour shifts around the clock plowing, treating and applying abrasives on interstates and primary routes (those numbered 1-599). The major routes are VDOT’s top priority for snow removal during a weather event. Crews have started working on select high volume secondary routes, however it may be some time before they can make it to roads carrying lighter traffic, such as secondary routes (routes numbered 600 and above) in residential areas and subdivision streets.

The longer people can stay home, the sooner VDOT crews can reach their homes to plow the roads. When vehicles begin driving on the snow on secondary and neighborhood roads, it becomes packed down and increasingly challenging for snowplows to reach bare pavement.

Additional wintry precipitation is expected between now and early Monday. Refreeze will continue to be an issue this week. With extremely low temperatures, expect snowpack and ice to remain on many surfaces until temperatures rise. Drivers should not expect bare pavement.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about winter weather and snow removal on the VDOT website.

The Salem District includes the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, and Roanoke.

For more updates on local conditions in our area, follow us in our Facebook Community for Salem District or on X @VaDOTSalem.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center online or call 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).