SUFFOLK — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) warned motorists traveling into and around Hampton Roads to stay alert for potentially hazardous road conditions Friday and Saturday, with sub-freezing temperatures and high winds forecasted for the region.
VDOT urged motorists to be vigilant, including adjusting travel ahead of the storm and as conditions change. VDOT also stressed those with destinations beyond Hampton Roads should continue to monitor conditions along their entire route, particularly along the I-81 corridor, as well as the Salem, Staunton, Culpeper and Northern Virginia regions.
Locally, sub-freezing temperatures are expected on Friday and Saturday, particularly after sundown. VDOT warned that standing water on travel lanes from recent rainfall will be susceptible to freezing, with bridges and overpasses typically freezing first.
High winds could also create hazardous driving conditions, VDOT said, especially for taller vehicles and particularly on wide-open highways and bridges.
VDOT Hampton Roads said crews are on standby to monitor and treat icy conditions with salt and sand, and equipment is ready to handle downed power lines or trees.
It added the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry may experience reductions in capacity and service outages if conditions warrant. Motorists should call the ferry hotline at 1-800-VA-FERRY for updates on service and plan to use an alternate route if necessary.
The I-64 reversible roadway in Norfolk will be closed in both directions starting as early as 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, VDOT said, and will remain closed until high winds subside.
Motorists expecting to travel should pack an emergency kit and blankets, and have mobile devices fully charged in the event of a breakdown or emergency, it said. Traffic information is available via VDOT’s free mobile 511 app including construction, traffic, incidents and congestion as well as access to traffic cameras, weather and more. Traffic information is also available at 511Virginia.org or by calling 511 from any phone.
VDOT reminds residents and motorists should be vigilant, plan travel ahead of time, check road conditions, prepare an emergency car kit, follow forecasts and announcements and limit travel based on conditions.
Motorists can contact VDOT’s 24-hour Customer Service Center by visiting my.vdot.virginia.gov or calling 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) for questions or to report hazardous road conditions. For more about winter weather travel and VDOT’s preparation and response, visit VDOT’s winter weather page.
