ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – Even though this fall has been particularly warm, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is already preparing for the winter season.
VDOT’s winter response budget is $222 million this year, along with 670,000 tons of chemical abrasives and salt to help combat weather across the Commonwealth.
(Photo Credit: Zoe Mowery)
VDOT will also be launching a new technique this year: the snow plow train, which is meant to help get plows onto interstates more frequently.
“On a two-lane interstate you would have three plows working in a staggered formation- working to plow all the lanes in a single pass,” said Jason Bond, a spokesperson for VDOT. “I think what’s important if people do encounter a snow plow train on the interstate, is that they do not try to pass it and they stay back from the equipment. It’ll be reduced to a speed of about 35 mph, and there will be escort vehicles behind the snow plow train.”
VDOT prepares all year for these winter months, and when the weather comes VDOT watches the forecasts to help decide what teams will be deployed.
More wind? It will send out more tree removal crews.
More snow or ice with freezing temperatures? It will put salt brine on the roads to make plowing easier.
Now as those colder months begin to creep up on our calendars, VDOT’s biggest advice is to know before you go and plan before you start driving in wintry conditions.