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VDOT, local cities geared up for second weekend of winter weather

    • PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — As a second weekend of snow and winter weather pushed into Hampton Roads, VDOT, city officials and even the Virginia National Guard gathered their resources to get prepared.

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    Super Doppler 10 meteorologists forecasted the storm would bring high wind gusts to the area. Wind speeds could be up to 40 mph at some points. They’re now forecasting about 2 to 4 inches of snow across much of the Southside, as well as 8-10 inches (or more) for parts of the Eastern Shore.


    Keep in mind, however, that the snowfall amounts could vary.

    Drivers are encouraged to limit nonessential travel Friday and Saturday.

    During the winter storm the prior weekend, in which much of the Hampton Roads metro saw between 2-6 inches of snow, Virginia State Police responded to 25 weather-related traffic crashes and 28 disabled/struck vehicles in a less than seven-hour span, according to VSP spokeswoman Sgt. Michelle Anaya.

    Lindsay Denietolis, a spokeswoman for VDOT, said the agency spent $10.5 million just last weekend to try to keep roads clear. On Thursday, crews mobilized to retreat interstates, primary and high-volume secondary roads.

    In total, the 60,000 gallons of saltwater brine pretreatment was be completed by Friday morning. At that time, crews began working shifts as part of 24-hour operations with 325 trucks at the ready.

    The I-64 Express Lane closed starting as early as 6 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 28, through 5 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 31.

    Hampton Roads Transit suspended service for Saturday, January 29. HRT will continue to evaluate conditions to determine if they will have Sunday service. 10 On Your Side will communicate any changes.

    County and city roads are the responsibility of local governments. Following Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R-Virginia) state of emergency declaration, the Virginia National Guard began mobilizing to head to the Eastern Shore, where they may need to help clear snow.

    VDOT has a tool for Virginia residents to check to see if a street has been plowed. The agency has an online snowplow tracking map. VDOT trucks are equipped with automatic vehicle location technology and can be monitored on the tracker during snow-removal operations. You can zoom into the map to display street-level plowing activity.

    VDOT trucks are represented on the map by an orange truck icon. Contractor truck locations are represented on the map by a yellow icon for standby and a green icon for active plowing. Service Contract trucks will be represented on the map by a blue icon.

    However, Denietolis said people shouldn’t just rush out too soon after the snow stops falling.

    “One of the things we do see a lot of is after the storm passes people are like, ‘Oh we can go back on the roads.’ We are seeing people zooming past our plows and even crowding our plows on the roads. Really for the safety for everyone involved, please don’t crowd the plows give space around them,” Denietolis said.

    On Friday, VDOT said they had secured additional equipment and staffing:

    Approximately 60,000 gallons of brine were distributed onto interstates and primary routes in advance of the storm’s arrival, with those operations completed Friday morning. 

    AAA Tidewater also prepared for the weather.

    “If you are able to, please stay home and off of the roads,” said Holly Dalby, AAA Tidewater director of public affairs. “Make those trips to the grocery store before the weather comes so you can stay at home once it starts precipitating.”

    If travel is necessary:

    Resources

    Chesapeake

    Chesapeake officials say work has already begun to treat all major bridges with a brine solution. Crews will work 12-hour shifts starting Friday night operating 35 plows/spreaders ready with 1900 tons of salt.

    Hampton

    Hampton’s winter weather treatment facility has thousands of gallons of brine, salt and other chemicals that will be used to treat the city’s roadways and bridges. The facility, located adjacent to Langley Air Force Base, can produce as much as 3,000 gallons of brine in an hour. The brine is stored on-site in a half-dozen 5,500-gallon tanks.

    Six trucks can take out a combined 8,000 gallons of brine at a time.

    “Typically we want to make sure the bridges are brined first because they freeze first,” said Delane Carty, superintendent of bridge and street operations for the city’s Public Works Department. “Then we brine the rest of the streets and intersections so vehicles can stop safely.”

    As always — they recommend not traveling out unless absolutely necessary tonight and tomorrow.

    A Hampton spokesman said crews are likely planning to work straight into Sunday. Windy conditions mean if they clear snow off, there’s a good chance it’s going to be blowing right back onto the road. The temperatures are going to be below freezing so even if the snow stops, they’re still concerned about freezing road conditions until they know it’s clear.

    “The biggest thing is to just stay warm and stay safe. If you can help it at all, don’t be out on the road. And if you have to be, just drive as carefully as you can and stay warm and plan ahead,” city spokesman Mike Holtzclaw said.

    10 On Your Side also spoke to someone grabbing some last-minute items before the storm.

    “Everybody should get batteries, flashlights, plenty of water, plenty of snacks and if you have kids, get something to keep them active. You know, besides all they want to do is play in the snow. And it’s a good thing but, you can’t always play in the snow. You know, like games, music, you know, stuff that you can do in the house,” said Shirley Tisdale.

    Newport News

    The Newport News Recovery Operations Center and all libraries and community centers will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 29. Other closures include the Visitor Center and campsite office at Newport News Park and city historic sites.

    Norfolk

    Norfolk officials say the city has 23 plow trucks, 16 pickup trucks fitted with plows, 21 spreaders and four salt brine distributor trucks. City crews will begin clearing snow from primary snow routes followed by secondary snow routes. The city doesn’t plow neighborhood streets.

    To allow for plowing operations on snow emergency routes, on-street parking is currently removed along Boush Street, Granby Street, Plume Street, Main Street, City Hall Avenue (in front of Fairfax Building), and the 400 block of Monticello Avenue. If you need to move your vehicle to a parking garage, the York Street Garage will be open starting Friday, January 28 at noon through Sunday, January 30 at 8 p.m. Click here for a map of all downtown parking garages.

    In addition, the city declared a state of emergency on Friday. Officials say this will allow them to ask for state and federal resources and seek state and federal reimbursement if the cost of the winter storm reaches a certain threshold.

    Portsmouth

    Portsmouth has 10 plow and salt spreader trucks that will be used to prepare roads. Crews will plow as necessary. Primary/major roads, bridges and overpasses, and those that lead to hospitals and fire stations are the priority.

    Drivers are strongly requested to remove vehicles from on-street parking spaces on main roads during winter weather events. To view the Snow Plow Map priority for streets, click here: http://www.portsmouthva.gov/snowplow.

    Those experiencing homelessness who need a place to stay during the winter storm should call Portsmouth’s non-emergency dispatch telephone number at (757) 393-5300.

    Officials say that the Middle Street Garage and the 1st and 2nd floors, only, of the County Street Garage, will be open starting at 5 p.m. on Friday night for residents to park during the storm. Vehicles may remain in the garages until Monday, January 31st, at 7 a.m.

    Suffolk

    With winter weather, Suffolk crews will be working 12-hour shifts with 20 to 24 trucks running with plows and spreaders. Their primary focus will be clearing roads for emergency vehicles, hospital access, and service vehicles.

    Officials say the first priority is given to all primary or main roadways, followed by secondary arterials and connectors.

    An interactive map of the City’s priority routes for public paved roadways within the city can be viewed online: www.suffolkva.us/winterprep. Please note that removal timeframes and priority are subject to change with weather conditions.

    To report roadway issues, citizens can contact Public Works at 757-514-7600, 24/7 during and after the storm until normal operations resume.

    City of Suffolk facilities will be closed on Saturday, including the Recreation Centers, North Suffolk Library, Morgan Memorial Library, Suffolk Visitor Center, Suffolk Seaboard Station Railroad Museum, Suffolk Art Gallery, and the Suffolk Executive Airport. All Suffolk Parks & Recreation athletic programs are canceled for Saturday.

    Officials say they will continue 12 hour shifts until midnight into Sunday and resume regular coverage Sunday morning.

    Virginia Beach

    Virginia Beach officials say the Public Works Department has 30 trucks prepared with several tons of salts and mixed products to prepare more than 900 lane-miles of primary roads. There are an additional 300 lane miles of priority secondary streets to plow.

    Virginia Beach facilities will also be impacted by the weather this weekend.

    City Operating Status

    Cancelations and Closings as of 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2022

    Cultural Affairs

    The following locations will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 29:

    Parks & Recreation

    Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center

    Virginia Beach Convention Center 

    Virginia Beach Department of Public Health

    Virginia Beach Sheriff’s Office

    Virginia Beach Sports Center:

    Virginia Beach Visitor Information Center:

    Waste Management Operations

    Emergency Shelter for People Experiencing Homelessness

    Limited congregate shelter space will be available at the Housing Resource Center for unsheltered individuals. Individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness and need shelter for this weekend should call (757) 385-5167.

    Williamsburg

    The City has six snowplows and spreaders available for deployment and 425 tons of salt and sand on hand.

    North Carolina

    All eight solid waste Convenience and Recycling Centers in Currituck County will be closed on Saturday, January 29, 2022. The facilities will reopen on Sunday, January 30 if the weather and road conditions allow.

    The Solid Waste Transfer Station in Currituck County will be closed on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29-30.

    The Moyock Welcome Center and the Corolla Visitors Center will be closed on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. 

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