VDOT warns of hazardous driving conditions

With freezing rain and snow expected to continue tonight and into the early morning hours, the Virginia Department of Transportation is warning citizens of hazardous driving conditions tonight and into tomorrow.

Roads that were previously plowed are covering again with snow, sleet and freezing rain. Road conditions will not improve until the precipitation stops and operators can make more progress.

Western Virginia has terrain with steep grades that can increase the hazardous nature of travel, particularly for trucks, during a heavy snow or ice event. Therefore, trucks should avoid travelling on I-81 and I-77 in Virginia on Sunday going into Monday.

Snowplow drivers are making multiple passes over interstates, primary roads and some high-volume secondary roads, but snow, freezing rain and sleet continue to fall and cover roads again.

Low-volume secondary roads and neighborhood streets (those numbered 600 and above) are covered with deep snow. Below freezing temperatures overnight will cause these routes to freeze.

High winds may cause drifting snow or down trees.

Drivers and residents should

Avoid travel. Plowed roads are covering again with snow. Road conditions will not improve until the snow stops and operators can make more progress.

Park off the road to allow plows to clear the road ahead. Avoid parking in the street or in cul-de-sacs to make it easier for snowplow drivers when plows head to your neighborhood.

Shovel to the right when facing the road, so less snow is pushed back into driveways when plows start working on these routes.

Road conditions are available at www.511Virginia.org. VDOT’s Customer Service Center can be reached by calling 1-800-367-7623 or at my.vdot.virginia.gov. Report emergencies to 911. When snow reaches two inches or more, snowplows can be tracked at http://vdotplows.org.

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