VDOT Crews Prepping for More Snow This Weekend

Virginia Department of Transportation crews will begin reporting overnight tonight for a wide range of wintry weather forecasted in Northern Virginia over the next 24 hours.  

 

Crews will report to local headquarters in Loudoun, Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William counties beginning at midnight tonight. By noon Saturday, more than 1,400 trucks will be deployed along interstates, main roads and neighborhood streets to treat and plow if necessary. VDOT is closely monitoring the changing forecast to adjust plans or increase equipment as needed.

 

While temperatures have not been favorable to pre-treat, residual salt remains on many roads where crews have treated roads throughout the week.

VDOT asks drivers to monitor the forecast closely and to delay trips during heavy snow or sleet Saturday. Use extreme caution if driving as road conditions may change rapidly.

 
 

Motorists on Route 15 and Route 50 Reminded "It’s Not a Race" -- Create Space

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police teamed up Feb. 8, in a campaign to curb aggressive and impaired driving in the area of Route 15 and Route 50 in Loudoun County. 

 

During the weeklong traffic safety enforcement effort, deputies and troopers cited 134 drivers for speeding and another 15 drivers for reckless driving along the two highway corridors. According to the Virginia State Police, the average speed of violators ticketed by a trooper was 70 mph (all in posted 55 mph zones). In addition, one summons for a child restraint violation and one summons for a seatbelt violation were issued. Fourteen equipment violations were also cited. 

      

The campaign was to address safety concerns in this corridor for motorists using Route 15 and Route 50. In recent years the corridor has been impacted by serious crashes from drivers following too close, as well as distracted and impaired drivers. 

      

"The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office supports initiatives in compliance with traffic laws through education and enforcement," said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. "This joint program with the Virginia State Police helped address traffic safety concerns to keep our roadways safe," Sheriff Chapman added.  

      

As part of the educational component of the campaign, message boards were placed in the area leading up to the enforcement effort advising drivers 'It's Not a Race- Create Space' and that they are entering an 'Aggressive Driving Enforcement Zone'. 

      

First Sergeant Alvin Blankenship, Virginia State Police Area Office Commander for Loudoun County, said, "This cooperative traffic safety effort was not about how many tickets we could write, but instead about bringing the importance of traffic safety to the forefront of folks' attention. We need drivers to slow down and make responsible driving a priority, particularly if we want these major highway corridors to be safer for all motorists. Simply drive to save lives."

 

Motorists are reminded that if you see a reckless or possibly impaired driver to call the Loudoun County non-emergency line at 703-777-1021 or dial 9-1-1. To reach the Virginia State Police, dial #77 on a cellphone.

 
 

Snow Squalls Could Make Afternoon Commute Difficult

The Virginia Department of Transportation is reporting that motorists will need to use extreme caution this afternoon when snow squalls with heavy bands of snow could quickly cover roads, reduce visibility and make driving treacherous.

 

At noon today, VDOT will mobilize 700 trucks in Loudoun County and Northern Virginia in anticipation of the additional layer of precipitation that will freeze.

 

Extremely low temperatures tonight and the remainder of the week will continue to pose challenges with refreeze. Some crews will remain on duty overnight to treat with problem spots.

 
 

Drivers Asked to Delay Trips This Morning

Drivers are urged to delay travel today until at least 10 a.m., as Virginia Department of Transportation crews continue working to clear and treat roads in Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties.

 

Interstates and major primaries are passable with extreme caution. Other roads were also plowed continuously overnight but still have a layer of snow and ice.

 

What drivers should know today:

• HOV restrictions are lifted on I-66, I-395 and the Dulles Toll Road. HOV-3 requirements still apply on the 495 and 95 Express Lanes.
• Eastbound I-66 X lanes will be unavailable for the morning rush hour, as crews continue to clear shoulders.
• Crews continue to clear interstates, major roads and neighborhood streets concurrently. Check www.vdotplows.org to see the status of plowing in neighborhoods.
• If you can, park in your driveway or on the odd-numbered side of the street to allow plows room to pass.
• After a plow has passed, roads will be passable, but will not be bare pavement and may remain snow-packed.
• Stay off the roads or delay trips to allow crews time to safely treat the roads.

 
 

VDOT Crews Deployed for Snow, Frigid Temps and High Winds

Virginia Department of Transportation crews are deploying for snow forecasted in Northern Virginia, accompanied by extreme cold temperatures and high winds that may make road conditions hazardous later today. Even with a light accumulation, wet or slushy roads will rapidly freeze and crews will be staged to continually treat.
 
Drivers are asked to use caution and plan carefully for trips this evening and over night.

 

• By mid-day, more than 900 trucks were on duty to treat roads throughout Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties.
• Due to extreme cold tonight and concern for ice in neighborhoods, crews will treat problem areas with a salt/sand mix. Residents will be able to check the status of their neighborhoods at www.vdotplows.org.
• Crews will work closely with Dominion Virginia Power on downed trees or power lines in roads due to high winds.
• While temperatures have not been favorable to pre-treat, residual brine and liquid magnesium chloride remain on many roads where crews pre-treated earlier this week.

VDOT asks drivers to use caution during winter weather, to slow down and allow extra time to their destination, and to be aware of potentially icy spots such as bridges, overpasses, hills and curves.



 
 

Loudoun County Sheriffs Office and Virginia State Police Join Efforts to Curb Aggressive Driving

The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and the Virginia State Police are joining efforts in a campaign to curb aggressive and impaired driving in the area of Route 15 and Route 50 in Loudoun County.
 
The campaign is to address safety concerns in this corridor for motorists using Route 15 and Route 50. In recent years the corridor has been impacted by serious crashes from drivers following too close, as well as distracted and impaired drivers.
 
"We continually receive traffic complaints from the public regarding tailgating, speeding, and reckless driving along these routes," said Loudoun County Sheriff Mike Chapman. "The goal of the campaign is to achieve voluntary compliance of traffic laws through education and enforcement," Sheriff Chapman added.
 
As part of the educational component of the campaign, message boards were placed in the area last week advising drivers, "It's Not a Race - Create Space," and that they are entering an "Aggressive Driving Enforcement Zone." The campaign will also be advertised through the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office and Virginia State Police websites, Alert Loudoun and utilizing social media messaging.
 
First Sergeant Alvin Blankenship, Virginia State Police Area Office Commander for Loudoun County, said, "This cooperative traffic safety effort will enhance enforcement by providing an increased patrol presence in this area. The campaign is aimed at reminding motorists to slow down, share the road responsibly and simply drive to save lives." (#DrivetoSaveLives)
 
The enforcement campaign will begin February 8.
 
Motorists are reminded that if you see a reckless or possibly impaired driver to call the Loudoun County non-emergency line at 703-777-1021 or dial 9-1-1. To reach the Virginia State Police, dial #77 on a cellphone.


 
 

Schedule Changes Coming Monday for Loudoun County Bus Services

Schedule changes will take effect on Monday, Feb. 2, for the Loudoun County Transit commuter bus service, local fixed-route bus service and Silver Line connection service. Changes include:
 
New Services
Commuter bus service begins from a new, 164-space, park and ride lot at the Telos Corporation, located at 19886 Ashburn Road.  These buses will also stop at two other lots, Ashburn North and Christian Fellowship Church, and then travel into northwest Washington, D.C.
 
The other new service is the Route 85, Dulles South Connector, a local, fixed-route operating weekday.  This Dulles South Connector route begins at East Gate and travels through South Riding, Stone Ridge and Brambleton, then on to the Loudoun Station park and ride lot where there is connecting bus service to Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station.
 
Changes in Service
Local Route 84 Atlantic/Pacific Circulator is being split into two routes. Route 84 will remain the Atlantic Circulator and Route 83 will be the Pacific Circulator.  These routes travel from Dulles Town Center along either Atlantic Boulevard or Pacific Boulevard to the Wiehle-Reston East Metrorail Station.
 
Changes to Bus Stop Locations, Departure Times and Fares
The following routes have changes to either bus stop locations, departure times, or bus type:

• Potomac Falls Metro Connection
• Ashburn Link
• Loudoun Station Silver Line Connection
• Reverse Commute
• Route 62 Ashburn Connector
• Route 80 Sugarland Run Connector
• Route 72 Wiehle Express

 
Links to the new schedules are available on the Loudoun County government website at www.loudoun.gov/bus.

 
 

VDOT Preparing for the Afternoon Commute

The Virginia Department of Transportation is asking Loudoun County and Northern Virginia drivers to prepare for this afternoon's commute, which is expected to be much more difficult than this morning as rain and wintry mix increases to snow throughout the day.
 
Drivers are asked to commute and travel in the early afternoon if possible, prior to 4 p.m., to get ahead of increasing precipitation and dropping pavement temperatures expected this evening.
 
Between this morning's rush hour and afternoon rush today, crews will apply a light application of salt, or mix of salt and liquid magnesium chloride, to problem spots such as bridges, ramps, hills and overpasses on main roads and in neighborhoods. Crews will continue to treat roads through the evening rush and overnight tonight.
 
About 900 trucks will remain on duty this evening throughout Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties.
 
Bridge and pavement temperatures are forecasted to be at or below freezing from 6 p.m. today through mid-day Tuesday.
 
Please use caution, particularly in neighborhoods where slick conditions may develop this evening.