Old Dominion News

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews in the Richmond District are preparing for an anticipated winter storm expected to bring significant snow accumulations. Pretreatment operations commenced today and will continue tomorrow as the district braces for weather conditions predicted to arrive on Wednesday.

"VDOT Richmond District is actively monitoring weather forecasts and is ready to respond to impacts from the approaching winter storm," said Tanveer Chowdhury, Richmond District maintenance engineer. "Crews are working around the clock pretreating roads and will be prepared to plow and treat roads based on our snow removal prioritization."

The VDOT strategy prioritizes clearing state-maintained roads with the highest traffic levels. Initially, efforts focus on making interstates and primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) passable. Following this, attention shifts to major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and higher) that provide access to critical emergency and public facilities or have high traffic volumes. Lower-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be addressed once higher-priority routes are completed, subject to resource availability.

A road considered "passable" offers an 8- to 10-foot-wide path accessible for emergency vehicles, is drivable with caution but remains snow-packed, not bare pavement or cleared curb-to-curb. Crews will apply sand on hills, curves, and intersections for improved traction.

Drivers are advised to limit travel during this period to allow crews space for safe operations and avoid non-essential journeys during and after the storm. Travelers should remain vigilant about weather conditions along their routes.

For updates specific to the Richmond area, residents can follow VDOT Richmond District on social media platforms X @VaDOTRVA and @511centralva. Additionally, VDOT's statewide Facebook page offers further information through its Richmond District group: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaDOT.

Road hazards can be reported or inquiries made at VDOT’s Customer Service Center by calling 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or via an online form at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. More winter driving tips are available on VDOT's winter weather page.