Be alert to winter weather overnight through Tuesday

BRISTOL – With the potential of winter weather in the forecast overnight and into Tuesday (January 16), the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) asks drivers to be weather aware and adjust travel as needed. 

Wintry precipitation is anticipated to occur in the early morning hours Monday (January 15). VDOT crews are prepped and ready, brining the interstate and multiple primary highways in southwest Virginia today (January 14). Crews will be working overnight, monitoring conditions and responding once the snow begins.  

Key reminders:

• Make alternate arrangements to avoid travel during adverse weather. Allow crews time and space to plow and treat roads.
• Motorists should pack an emergency kit and blankets, and have mobile devices fully charged in the event of a breakdown or emergency.
• VDOT’s free mobile 511 app offers access to traffic cameras, weather and more. Traffic information is also available at 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 from any phone.
• VDOT’s Customer Service Center is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

VDOT is responsible for snow removal on all state-maintained roads, while all cities and some towns maintain their roads. 
 
Snow removal priorities are as follows:

• The Interstate Highway System and limited-access roadways are VDOT’s first priority.
• Primary roads (routes numbered 1 to 599) and major secondary roads (routes numbered 600 and up) with vital emergency and public facilities, or those with high-traffic volumes, will be cleared along with interstate and limited-access roadways as resources allow.
• Low-volume secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated after higher-priority routes are completed and additional resources are available.

The Bristol District Twitter feed is at @VDOTBristol and the district also has a Facebook group. VDOT can be followed on Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov. 

The VDOT Bristol District serves Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Washington, Smyth, Russell, Buchanan, Tazewell, Bland, Wythe and Grayson counties.  (END)