Governor McDonnell Updates VDOT Snow Removal Progress in Northern Virginia
- Governor Directed Additional Equipment to Area to Speed Recovery
- Encourages Residents to Email VDOT at novainfo@vdot.virginia.gov to Report Any Dangerous Local Conditions

FROM THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

February 10, 2010

Contact: Stacey Johnson
Phone: (804) 225-4260
E-mail: Stacey.Johnson@Governor.Virginia.Gov

Virginia Department of Transportation
Contact: Jeff Caldwell
Phone: (804) 786-2715
Email: Jeffrey.Caldwell@VDOT.Virginia.Gov

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today updated the progress made by the Virginia Department of Transportation in responding to the historic back-to-back snowstorms that struck Northern Virginia in a period of just 6 days.

The Governor noted, "In response to the record-breaking storms which have impacted the region, I ordered VDOT to send additional equipment to assist with snow removal in Northern Virginia. VDOT has made significant progress toward making every state-maintained road in the region passable and safe for travelers. I want to thank our VDOT employees, and all employees of state agencies involved in the recovery from this historic series of winter storms, for their work over the past few weeks. That work will continue unimpeded and without any delay until all roads are back to normal."

Following last weekend's 30-inch storm, VDOT had made one pass through about 90 percent of its 9,000 lane miles of subdivision streets in Northern Virginia, leaving 875 of lane miles unplowed when the second storm hit Tuesday. VDOT relocated additional snow plows, motor graders and front-end loaders from other areas of the state to speed VDOT's response to the storm. This enabled crews to continue making progress in subdivisions throughout the second storm's blizzard conditions.

As of Friday afternoon, VDOT estimates that approximately two-thirds of the 875 remaining subdivision lane miles have been made passable. Crews plan to revisit all northern Virginia subdivision streets by Sunday night to ensure that they are passable for traffic.

Interstates are in excellent condition and are cleared down to bare pavement, but crews continue to haul snow from shoulders and ramp areas. High-volume roads such as routes 1, 7, 28, 50 and Prince William and Fairfax County Parkways are mostly bare pavement, but motorists need to use caution as snow-packed medians, shoulders and lane drops may remain.

Salt supplies are being replenished continually and equipment is holding up well.

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). ###