Delay travel as treacherous conditions prevail from heavy snow in the Shenandoah Valley

STAUNTON — Travel conditions continue to deteriorate on Tuesday, February 11 as heavy snow moves through the Shenandoah Valley and Alleghany Highlands. Roadway travel should be delayed. Virginia Department of Transportation crews and contractors have been out all day and will continue on 12-hour shifts, 24-hours a day throughout the storm.

As the storm moves through the area some sleet and freezing rain may also occur. Expect hazardous driving conditions. Numerous crashes have occurred on local roads during the day.

It is important to stay off roadways and let snow removal crews work. Travel should occur after this weather event. Remember to buckle up. Monitor the weather along any travel route for possible changes. Conditions can vary greatly from one end of the Commonwealth of Virginia to the other. 

Bridges and overpasses will freeze first. The public should also be alert for falling tree limbs and tree debris on roadways from heavy wet snow or ice.

Here are the road conditions as of 5:30 p.m.

Interstate 64 – Moderate in Alleghany, Rockbridge and Augusta counties.

Interstate 66 – Minor in Warren County.

Interstate 81 – Moderate in Rockbridge and Augusta counties. Minor conditions in Rockingham, Shenandoah and Frederick counties.

Primary roads – Moderate conditions in Highland, Bath, Alleghany, Rockbridge, and Augusta counties. Minor conditions in Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke, Warren and Page counties.

Secondary roads – Moderate conditions in Highland, Bath, Alleghany, Rockbridge, and Augusta counties. Minor conditions in Rockingham, Shenandoah, Frederick, Warren, Clarke and Page counties.

Be aware that conditions can change rapidly as the storm moves through the region.

VDOT is responsible for snow removal on all state-maintained roads as follows: 

• The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are VDOT’s first priority. 
• Primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) and major secondary routes (numbered 600 and up) with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow. 
• Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available. 

The VDOT Staunton District serves the counties of Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath.

Check 511 at its updated URL and website: https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/. The 511 site has traffic cameras, current crash locations, weather conditions and more. The public can sign-up for 511 alerts to be sent to their personal device. On the VDOT 511 website roads with snow and ice conditions will be marked minor, moderate, severe or closed.

Road condition definitions:

• Closed – Road is closed to all traffic.
• Severe – drifting or partially blocked road.
• Moderate – snow or ice on major portions of the roadway.  
• Minor – bare pavement except for isolated spots of snow, ice or slush.  Driving with caution is recommended.

Another information source is the VDOT website at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov. Type in “winter weather” in the search bar located in the middle of the home page. Follow the links to the winter page for driving tips, snow removal procedures, travel kit items and additional resources.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can be accessed through its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are on site 24/7 every day of the year to assist the public. People can also call the VDOT Customer Service Center at 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623).

The Staunton District X (Twitter) feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. The VDOT Staunton District has a group page on Facebook. Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube.