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Prepare for Winter Weather
 As winter approaches, it is time to once again prepare for winter weather. The Virginia
Department of Transportation (VDOT) provided us with some useful
information to share with you. VDOT is responsible for clearing snow and
ice on all state roads, which are marked by black and white route
number signs. In Northern Virginia, there are more than 17,000 lane
miles to clear when we have a storm. This year VDOT has a statewide
snow-removal budget of $126 million ($11 million more than last year),
of which $55 million has been allocated to Northern Virginia ($22
million more than last year).
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VDOT Road Priorities are as follows:
- Interstates (I-66, I-95/395, I-495)
- High-Volume Routes (Routes 1, 7, 28, 29, 50, Fairfax County Parkway)
- Main thoroughfares in neighborhoods or developments
- Residential Streets
- Cul-de-sacs
Once 2 inches of
snow has accumulated on the roads, crews can begin plowing. Please note
that it is VDOT policy to start plowing once 2 inches have accumulated.
This year, trucks will be pre-positioned in subdivisions whenever a
forecast calls for 2 or more inches. In the past, trucks have not
deployed until after 2 inches had accumulated. Â Â
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The main thoroughfares in subdivisions are repeatedly plowed
during a storm. Once the storm has stopped and these roads are clear,
crews will work to make residential streets and cul-de-sacs "passable." A
neighborhood street is considered passable when a path is drivable,
with caution, for an average passenger vehicle. The road will not be
cleared curb-to-curb or to bare pavement, and it may remain snow-packed,
uneven and rutted, especially following any refreeze. Chemicals are not
typically used in subdivisions, but crews will sand hills, curves, and
intersections as needed to provide traction. For most storms, one
snowplow pass, about 8-10 feet wide, is made.
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VDOT Guidance:
- Stay off the roads, let the plows clear the snow, and be patient
- VDOT
does not remove snow from sidewalks (there has been additional
training for all plow drivers to not shovel onto fire hydrants, side
walks, driveways, etc)
- For an average 6 inch storm, VDOT's goal is to make 1 pass of all roads within 48 hours of the end of the storm
- VDOT tries not to deploy trucks during rush-hour
- Do not clear the last couple feet of your driveway until a plow has been through
- When shoveling your driveway, shovel the snow to the right as you face the road
- Avoid
parking on the street, but if you have to park on the street,
please park on the odd numbered side of the street to leave more
room for trucks to drive through
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During
and after a storm, if you have a safety concern regarding a specific
roadway or situation, please feel free to report it to our office or
directly to VDOT:
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My Office:
[email protected]Â
703-772-7168
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In the event of a winter storm, I intend to post updates as I receive them on my website, www.delegatecomstock.com, and on Facebook and Twitter. I would also like to invite you to keep in touch and to send me information throughout a storm.
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VDOT:
[email protected]
1-800-FOR-ROAD (1-800-367-7623)
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Additional VDOT Resources:
- www.511virginia.org - Provides real-time updates on traffic incidents and road conditions
- Twitter
- Follow VaDOT and 511northernva for news and information on VDOT
projects and programs around the state and updates on traffic
incidents and road conditions
- www.facebook.com/virginiadot - learn about VDOT news and programs
- www.youtube.com/vdotweb - view videos on snow removal and several other topics
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