VDOT is prepared for weekend weather

BRISTOL, Va. - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is prepping for a mixed bag of winter weather this weekend, with snow and icy conditions a possibility in Southwest Virginia.

With snow anticipated at the onset of the storm, VDOT is applying brine to main roads and high-priority secondary roadways today (Thursday, January 22) and interstate routes on Friday (January 23). Brine is a salt and water solution applied to pavement in advance of snow to prevent snow and ice from bonding to the pavement.

VDOT has been working diligently this week to ensure equipment is ready and all available contract crews are scheduled.

Crews will work 24-hours-a-day in 12-hour shifts through the storm and the cleanup to follow.

“It is essential that motorists avoid travel during the storm to give our crews the space they need to safely perform their work,” VDOT Bristol District Engineer Tabitha Crowder said.

Approximately 750 pieces of equipment are available to VDOT for snow removal.

Visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/, call 511, or check the 511 Virginia mobile app for up-to-date information on road and traffic conditions. TTY users can call 711 for the service.

For questions or to report hazardous road conditions, contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623). For more about winter weather travel, visit VDOT’s weather page.