VDOT crews staging for blizzard; drivers urged to stay off the road

The Virginia Department of Transportation reminds drivers to stay off the roads today and Saturday, as crews and trucks prepare to deploy for a dangerous winter storm bringing heavy snowfall, high winds and blizzard conditions to northern Virginia.       

Yesterday, crews treated bridges, ramps and other spots prone to freezing on interstates and major roads in northern Virginia with anti-icing materials in advance of the storm.

By 2 p.m., about 4,000 trucks loaded with materials will be fully staged along interstates, major roads and subdivision streets in Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties (Arlington maintains its own secondary roads). Crews will work 12-hour shifts around the clock and plow interstates, major roads and subdivisions simultaneously.

What drivers and residents should do now

·      Avoid driving. During the storm today and tomorrow, road conditions are expected to be treacherous, with high winds and white-out conditions. Plows will need as much room as possible to safely make continual passes on roads.

·      Park in driveways or on the odd-numbered side of the street before the snow begins, to allow plows room to clear the road ahead.

·      Check VDOT resources: See http://www.511virginia.org for road conditions, Follow @VaDOTNOVA on Twitter, see details on snow removal in northern Virginia, and check truck progress and neighborhood status 24/7 at http://www.vdotplows.org (active when two inches of snow has accumulated).