The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Hampton Roads District began pretreating roads Thursday in anticipation of possible winter weather on Friday. Crews applied a brine solution to reduce the risk of snow or ice bonding to the pavement, focusing on Peninsula interstates, Southside interstate bridges and overpasses, as well as key county and secondary roads in areas including the Historic Triangle and Eastern Shore.
Forecasts predict that Hampton Roads could see snow or a wintry mix early Friday morning through rush hour before conditions change to rain for the rest of the day.
VDOT advises drivers to check road conditions for their entire route before traveling. Those heading beyond Hampton Roads should be aware that other parts of Virginia may face more severe weather.
Motorists who must travel are urged to drive with caution, lower speeds, and increase following distances. VDOT notes that pretreatment helps limit accumulation but warns that locations such as bridges, overpasses, ramps, and shaded areas may freeze first. Crews will monitor roads during the morning commute and throughout the weather event to address any arising issues.
“While pretreatment is used to assist in limiting snow and ice accumulation, motorists should use extra caution in locations where pavements freeze first, including overpasses, bridges, ramps, and shaded areas. Crews will monitor roadways on Friday, especially during the morning commute, and throughout the remainder of this weather event, responding as needed to any conditions that may arise,” according to VDOT.
VDOT is responsible for maintaining all interstates and major state-maintained routes in Hampton Roads; municipalities manage their own primary and secondary routes.
Travelers can get updates using VDOT’s free 511 mobile app or by visiting 511.vdot.virginia.gov for information about road conditions statewide.
