RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — VDOT crews are out in full force ahead of this weekend’s statewide winter storm that’s expected to bring heavy snow and sleet to the area.
“Crews are in 24-hour operations with a significant force of crew members, equipment and materials and we are continuing to treat roads with anti-icing materials in advance of the next storm,” said VDOT Commissioner Charlie Kilpatrick. “With a storm of this magnitude, driving conditions will be extremely hazardous. I urge motorists to plan ahead, monitor weather conditions and stay off the roads during the storm.”
VDOT has approximately 2,500 crewmembers and more than 13,000 pieces of equipment, including plows, trucks and spreaders, to use for snow-removal. VDOT also uses contractors to maintain the interstates throughout the Commonwealth. Officials say supplies are in good shape with over 650,000 tons of salt, sand and abrasives and nearly two million gallons of liquid salt.
Crews have been treating roads with a salt water brine solution since Thursday morning, when they launched their emergency plan.
“What that will do is it will prevent a bond from forming between the ice or any precipitation that falls and the pavement itself,” Lindsay LeGrand of the VDOT Richmond District told 8News reporter Candice Cole. “So that will allow us to get a jump on the treatment process once the precipitation begins to fall.”
VDOT has a statewide network of 77 weather sensors in roadways and bridges, which allows crews to quickly identify when and where roads are freezing over. Officials are in close coordination with state and local police and will be monitoring weather reports to ensure readiness.
As for drivers, the Virginia Department of Transportation is urging people to plan ahead.
“Try not to drive on Friday,” LeGrand added. “If you don’t have to, make arrangements now and go ahead and run those errands before Friday so you can stay home and stay safe.”
LeGrand said that people should plan to stay at home for a couple days to give VDOT time to ensure the roads are passable. You’ll want to check VDOT’s 511 website and your 8News Stormtracker Forecast beforehand in case you have to go out during the storm.
Click here for more snow information from VDOT.
Stay with 8News for the latest updates.
Read more from our Winter Weather Central coverage section.
