FREDERICKSBURG – Using heavy equipment to plow packed-down layers of snow and ice, Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) crews are making progress improving road conditions on low-volume secondary roads in the Fredericksburg area, but removal efforts are anticipated to continue 24 hours a day for several days. Below-freezing temperatures reduce the effectiveness of salt at melting snow and ice. Trucks fitted with plows are less effective in removing the thick crust of ice on top of the snow. Heavy equipment can apply more down pressure and force to push the ice and snow out of the travel lanes. During daytime hours, with sunny conditions and temperatures in the upper 20s, salt can be effective and plow trucks can make progress removing snow from main routes in neighborhoods. These initial passes seek to create a single travel lane, approximately 8-10 feet wide, that is drivable with extreme caution by emergency vehicles and others. Even after an initial pass, low-volume secondary roads may still be snow-packed, and will not have bare pavement from curb to curb. Initial passes will also not reach every road in a neighborhood or an entire cul-de-sac. After these initial passes, crews will continue to use heavy equipment such as loaders and motor graders and dump trucks to remove more snow and ice from state-maintained roads and cul-de-sacs. Icy Road Conditions Possible Overnight Icy road conditions are possible overnight and during the morning commute on Wednesday, Jan. 28. Wet pavement from melted snow or slush is anticipated to refreeze on the road overnight. VDOT crews are applying a mix of sand and salt to Interstate 95, primary roads, and high-volume secondary roads that have been plowed to improve traction and reduce icing, but slick spots remain possible. Road surfaces may be especially slick on bridges and overpasses and along ramps. Motorists should use caution and significantly reduce speed. Add distance between vehicles. Parking for ridesharing will be available for the Wednesday morning commute in the Route 1 and Commonwealth Drive Park and Ride lot in Spotsylvania County, and in the Route 17 Park and Ride lot in Stafford County. Equipment parked in these lots for snow removal on I-95 is being moved to other locations to provide additional parking spaces for commuters. Fredericksburg Area Road Conditions (Stafford, Spotsylvania and Caroline counties) Interstate 95 is clear with visible pavement and open travel lanes. Primary roads and high-volume secondary roads (carrying around 3,500 vehicles a day or more) are in minor condition, with visible pavement but isolated patches of snow and ice. Low-volume secondary roads are in moderate condition on routes that have received an initial pass, which means snow or ice covers major portions of the road. Secondary roads that have not received an initial pass are in severe condition with complete snow coverage. Middle Peninsula Road Conditions Primary roads are clear in Essex, Gloucester, King and Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties. Secondary roads in Gloucester, Mathews, and Middlesex counties are in minor condition. Secondary roads in Essex, King and Queen and King William counties are in moderate condition, with snow covering a portion of the road. Northern Neck Road Conditions Primary roads are clear in King George, Lancaster, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland counties. Secondary roads are in minor condition in Lancaster County, with isolated patches of snow and ice. Secondary roads in King George, Northumberland, Richmond and Westmoreland counties are in moderate condition, with snow partially covering the road. | 
