“Salem District Alert: Stay Home to Aid Snow Plow Crews in Road Safety Efforts!”

SALEM (5 a.m.) – A winter storm has deposited several inches of snow in western Virginia overnight. Roadways are blanketed with snow and temperatures remain below freezing. Citizens are advised to refrain from nonessential travel to allow crews to progress in plowing and treating roadways.

The Virginia Department of Transportation crews and contractors are presently focused on interstates and primary roads (those numbered 1-599). These paths are deemed VDOT’s highest priority during any winter weather incident.

Interstates are in minor condition, indicating that icy patches still persist. Primary roads vary from minor to moderate, signifying that they remain snow-covered.

Low volume secondary roads (those numbered 600 and above) and local streets have not yet been plowed or treated, continuing to be snow-covered.

Road conditions are expected to improve once equipment operators manage to progress further in plowing and treatment of the roads. Drivers should not anticipate bare pavement until temperatures increase.

If travel is absolutely necessary, assess roadway conditions using VDOT’s free 511 mobile app, which provides information regarding road conditions, traffic, incidents, construction, traffic congestion, as well as access to traffic cameras, weather updates, and more. Additional information is also available at 511.vdot.virginia.gov or by calling 511 while within Virginia.

For inquiries or to report hazardous road conditions, please contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).