SALEM – With snowfall in southwest Virginia expected to begin before dawn this morning and continue into the evening, the Virginia Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to avoid unnecessary travel today until after the storm passes and road conditions improve.
VDOT equipment operators and contractors are mobilized to begin plowing and treating roads as the storm begins. Crews will work first on the interstate and primary routes (those numbered 1-599) and continue to focus on these routes until conditions improve. Once the precipitation stops and these major roads are plowed and treated, VDOT begins to work on neighborhood streets and secondary roads, those numbered 600 and above.
Windy conditions and cold temperatures are forecasted for several days after the storm which could create drifting snow and refreezing after roads are plowed.
Up-to-date road condition information is available by calling 511 or visiting www.511Virginia.org.
VDOT’s Salem District includes the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Patrick and Roanoke.