VDOT Update (Richmond, Hampton, Lynchburg: cul-de-sac, neighborhoods, subdivisions)

[Ashburnite]

VDOT's website says:

2/10/2010: CHANTILLY – The Virginia Department of Transportation has brought in crews and more than 200 pieces of heavy equipment from Hampton Roads, Richmond, Salem and Lynchburg to assist with removing snow that continues to fall across northern Virginia.

More than 2,000 trucks remain on the roads today, plowing and treating interstates, primary roads, and subdivision and side streets.

Because the 4x4 pickup trucks VDOT uses for a typical four- to six-inch storm cannot handle the deep snow still blanketing some northern Virginia neighborhoods, additional larger trucks and front loaders are working to clear remaining subdivision and side streets buried in the last storm.

The additional crews will continue to clear neighborhoods as long as possible, until the trucks are needed again to address emergency routes, interstates and other high-volume roads.

Motorists are urged to stay off the road, as white-out and blizzard conditions are expected to last into the evening.

Minimal visibility and high-drifting snow have made driving extremely dangerous. Crews out in full force also need the full width of many roads to navigate snowplow trains and put down chemicals.

Commuters are advised that the I-95/395 high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes will close at 11 a.m. today, and will re-open either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning depending on road conditions.

For the latest road conditions, weather, incident information and traffic camera video, drivers can visit www.511Virginia.org. (http://www.511virginia.org./ - broken link) Residents who need to report dangerous conditions on neighborhood streets should send the address, subdivision and county to novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov. They can also call 703-383-VDOT (8368), or 1-800-367-ROAD (7623).

[EuroExpat]

Well at least no one can say they're not doing their job! I bet those guys are exhausted.. Hopefully they get paid overtime! I have to admit, our road was plowed very early this morning. Can't complain!

[Ashburnite]

http://www.virginiadot.org/about/resources/NoVa-Snow-Brochure.pdf (broken link)

The VDOT Snow Brochure linked above gives information about how long before plows will be in different areas. For 18+ inches it says that high volume roads are treated or plowed within 4 days after the storm ends. Residential streets are up to 6 days after the storm ends.

Winter Weather Driving Tips from VDOT:

❄ Before you get behind the wheel,
know the road conditions and
weather forecast. For road conditions
in Northern Virginia, call 703-383-
VDOT (8368). For statewide highway
information call the Highway Helpline
at 800-367-ROAD. TTY users
800-432-1843.
❄ Restrict travel until road crews have
had a chance to clear the roads.
❄ Keep vehicle windows, mirrors, roofs
and lights clear of snow and ice.
❄ Wear your seat belt!
❄ Allow extra travel time.
❄ Know the road surface. Black ice is
invisible and could be present.
❄ Be alert to potentially icy areas like
shady spots and bridges.
❄ Keep a safe distance of at least 5 car
lengths behind other vehicles.
❄ Stay behind the snowplow. The road
BEHIND the snowplow is safer.
❄ Never cut between a caravan
of snow plows.
❄ When snow is forecast try not to park
on your subdivision street, particularly
in a cul-de-sac.
❄ Keep an emergency winter driving kit
in your vehicle.

[Lawn Guru]

Here is another interesting version of the information that came out yesterday:

The Virginia Department of Transportation estimates it will remove about 500,000* tons of snow from northern Virginia roads over the next several days. VDOT urges motorists to continue to stay off the roads as crews work today to clear snow-packed interstates and other emergency routes. Residents should see at least one pass from a snowplow before Tuesday evening when another storm is expected.

Tomorrow, crews and equipment finishing up snow removal in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas will head to northern Virginia to assist 1,900 trucks already plowing this hard-hit region. Many of these trucks will head to snow-buried neighborhoods to help clear the 9,000 lane miles of subdivisions and side streets in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties.

The hundreds of 4x4 pickup trucks VDOT uses in northern Virginia subdivisions for a typical four- to six-inch storm are inadequate to handle the frozen and compacted, deep snow covering most neighborhoods. Snow drifts in some areas are even higher than the subdivision plows. Interstate trucks are too large to fit through neighborhoods, so crews are using special equipment such as graders, bucket loaders, tandems and backhoes. This is a very slow and cumbersome process.

Unlike smaller snowfalls, crews are also hauling snow from areas where there is simply nowhere for plows to push. Along roads such as the Beltway and the I-95/395 high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, concrete barriers prevent traditional plowing and large trailers are hauling snow offsite.

Drivers are asked to use extreme caution as thawing today followed by a big re-freeze tonight means that all roads—including those that have been treated and plowed—will remain treacherous.

VDOT reminds residents of the following:

· The main, more heavily traveled roads in a subdivision will be plowed first, to be followed by low-volume roads and cul-de-sacs.

· Plows will make one or two trips to provide a path through neighborhood streets, but they will not clear to bare pavement or from curb to curb.



· Because chemicals are not used in subdivisions, roads will remain snow-packed and rutted after the plow has passed. Crews will sand hills, curves and intersections as needed to provide traction.

· If planning to shovel their driveways, residents should try to refrain from clearing the last few feet at the curb until your street is plowed, as plows may push snow back into driveways. It also helps to shovel to the right as you face the road.

· VDOT does not remove snow from sidewalks or trails.

· VDOT plow drivers have assigned routes that include each and every state-maintained road in northern Virginia .

· Call 911 if you have a medical emergency and need to leave your home.

If by Wednesday, residents have not seen a plow in their subdivision, they can call 703-383-VDOT or e-mail novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov with the location. Photos are also welcomed. Crews will be dispatched to treat missed spots and problem areas.

For the latest road conditions, weather, incident information and traffic camera video, drivers should visit www.511Virginia.org

. For more information on how VDOT prepares for snow, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/snow.asp

. For concerns, please contact 703 383-VDOT or email NovaInfo@VDOT.Virginia.gov.

*Formula:

(17,000 lane miles in northern Virginia x 5,260 feet/mile) x (10 feet avg. lane width x 2 feet snow depth) ÷ 27 (to get cubic feet) = 66,237,037 cubic feet

66,237,037 cubic feet x 15 lbs. per cubic foot ÷ by 2,000 (to get tons) = 496,778 tons of snow removed from roads

Sincerely,

Renée N. Hamilton

Virginia Department of Transportation

[The Dissenter]

Originally Posted by Ashburnite

VDOT's website says:

2/10/2010: CHANTILLY – The Virginia Department of Transportation has brought in crews and more than 200 pieces of heavy equipment from Hampton Roads, Richmond, Salem and Lynchburg to assist with removing snow that continues to fall across northern Virginia.

More than 2,000 trucks remain on the roads today, plowing and treating interstates, primary roads, and subdivision and side streets.

Because the 4x4 pickup trucks VDOT uses for a typical four- to six-inch storm cannot handle the deep snow still blanketing some northern Virginia neighborhoods, additional larger trucks and front loaders are working to clear remaining subdivision and side streets buried in the last storm.

The additional crews will continue to clear neighborhoods as long as possible, until the trucks are needed again to address emergency routes, interstates and other high-volume roads.

Motorists are urged to stay off the road, as white-out and blizzard conditions are expected to last into the evening.

Minimal visibility and high-drifting snow have made driving extremely dangerous. Crews out in full force also need the full width of many roads to navigate snowplow trains and put down chemicals.

Commuters are advised that the I-95/395 high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes will close at 11 a.m. today, and will re-open either Thursday afternoon or Friday morning depending on road conditions.

For the latest road conditions, weather, incident information and traffic camera video, drivers can visit www.511Virginia.org. (http://www.511virginia.org./ - broken link) Residents who need to report dangerous conditions on neighborhood streets should send the address, subdivision and county to novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov. They can also call 703-383-VDOT (8368), or 1-800-367-ROAD (7623).

I'm looking at the HOV lane on I-395 @ Duke St right now and it is full of snow.