Friday, January 23, 2015

VDOT Crews Pretreating Roads for Wintry Weekend

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are preparing for a wide range of precipitation forecast for Loudoun County and Northern Virginia this weekend, including snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain over the next 36 hours.

 

What Loudoun County commuters should know:

  • The forecast calls for winter weather to last this evening through Saturday afternoon, with low confidence as to which type will have the most impact in the region. Get more on the forecast from Loudoun County Weather.
  • Bridge deck and pavement temperatures will hover around freezing.
  • Overnight and Saturday morning have potential for icy conditions. If possible, delay trips to later in the day.

 

Today, crews are pre-treating major roads and trouble spots in Loudoun, Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William counties. On interstates 66, 95, 395, and 495 — including bridges and ramps prone to freezing such as the Springfield interchange, I-66 at Route 29 and the Capital Beltway interchange at Route 1 — crews use liquid magnesium chloride. Problem spots on other major roads, such as the Fairfax County Parkway and routes 1, 7, 28, 29, 50 and 123, are pre-treated with salt brine. Crews will also pre-treat trouble spots in subdivisions.

 

By 4 p.m. this afternoon, about 500 trucks will be available throughout Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William and Arlington counties to treat roads, and additional trucks may report overnight if needed.

 

Another round of wintry mix is forecast for Sunday night into Monday morning. Crews will plan to pre-treat again Sunday.

 

If out on the roads during inclement weather, be sure to slow down and allow for extra time to reach your destination. Also, be aware of potentially icy areas such as bridges, ramps, curves and overpasses



 
 

No comments:

Post a Comment