SALEM – Crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation and its contractors have been working last night to plow and treat roads. Snow plow drivers will continue to work throughout the day and will be dispatched as needed to plow and treat due to conditions in their areas. Last night, additional snow showers, drifting snow and below freezing temperatures have created slick and icy road conditions for crews to plow and treat.
Drivers will find the interstates (I-81, I-77 and I-581) and the primary roads (those numbered 1-599) in the Virginia Department of Transportation’s 12-county Salem District to be in minor condition this morning. This means these major roads are clear except for isolated slick spots. On these major routes, motorists should pay particular attention to cooler areas such as bridges, overpasses, ramps and shaded areas as there still may be slick spots.
Secondary routes and neighborhood streets (those numbered 600 and above) in Bedford, Botetourt, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Pulaski and Roanoke counties are in moderate condition, which means they are covered in snow or ice or have multiple icy spots. With the cold temperatures, even if these roads have been plowed or treated, ice and snow remains frozen to the road surface in many locations.
The 12-county VDOT Salem District includes the counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Franklin, Floyd, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski and Roanoke. VDOT is responsible for maintaining county roads; cities and large towns are responsible for snow removal on roads maintained by that locality.
Drivers can always check road conditions by calling 511 or logging in to 511Virginia.org