More Than 1,000 Trucks Preparing Roads for Icy Weather in Virginia

Road crews are ready to report Friday night for a forecast of low temperatures, freezing rain, sleet and snow across Northern Virginia, the Virginia Department of Transportation announced Friday afternoon. As many residents plan to travel around the region for shopping and other holiday preparations this weekend, the Virginia Department of Transportation asks drivers to plan accordingly:

• Avoid driving during winter weather. Consider postponing early-morning travel until pavement temperatures improve and daylight can provide better visibility. (Weather.com predicts Northern Virginia will get above freezing, 33 degrees, by 7 a.m.)
• Allow plenty of time for weather conditions and increased holiday traffic.
• Allow plenty of room for road-treatment trucks.
• Slow down and be aware of potential slick spots.

About 1,100 trucks will report across Northern Virginia beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, to focus on treating roads through the weekend with mixes of salt, sand and liquid magnesium chloride.

VDOT crews took advantage of warmer days earlier in the week to treat roads in advance with anti-icing materials, VDOT said. Through Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties (Arlington maintains own secondary roads) crews treat about 5,200 lane miles with liquid magnesium chloride or brine in advance of winter weather. This includes interstate, primary and high-volume secondary roads, and particularly ramps, bridges, and other critical areas prone to freezing.

Before heading out, use the following resources, VDOT advises:

• Check http://www.511virginia.org/ or the mobile app before you go for traffic conditions and lane closures
• Visit www.virginiadot.org/novaemergency for the latest updates and resources during weather events in northern Virginia
• Follow @VaDOTNOVA on Twitter
• Get more details on snow removal in northern Virginia

This is the perfect time to place or update an emergency kit in your car, VDOT said. Recommended items include:

• Water and food
• Shovel
• Ice scraper/brush
• Gloves and boots
• Phone charger
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Flares
• Ice melt/cat litter

For more information visit: www.ready.gov/car

PHOTO: Materials ready at Leesburg area VDOT headquarters near Routes 7 and 15 in Loudoun County.