Areas of refreezing possible in parts of western, central VA

SALEM, Va. (WFXR) – While the winter storm will be exiting the region into the evening, crews and contractors with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) continue to treat icy roads by applying salt and abrasives since early Wednesday morning.

Into tonight, some areas could have temperatures fall back down at or slightly below freezing, so additional refreezing will be possible.

VDOT suggests that residents continue to avoid nonessential travel.

During the morning on Thursday, temperatures will warm above freezing which will allow for improving travel conditions.

Neighborhood streets and secondary roads (those numbered 600 and above) and those in cooler spots or in higher elevations are more likely to have ice. While traveling, motorists should also use extra caution on bridges, ramps, shaded spots and overpasses where ice is likely to form.

Drivers using rural roads, in particular, should also be mindful of the possibility of downed trees and limbs which may fall from the added weight from the ice.

Travelers can get real-time information on road conditions as well as traffic incidents and congestion on Virginia roads by using VDOT’s 511 free mobile app or by visiting 511Virginia.org.

Virginia State Police (VSP) is also urging motorists to continue to use caution while traveling.

I-81 has seen several crashes, especially north of our area from the I-64 interchange to the West Virginia border in northern Virginia.

Roughly 200 crashes and at at least 125 disabled vehicles were reported on Wednesday.

The majority of crashes have only involved damage to vehicles and not injuries as most crashes involved vehicles sliding off the road and into a ditch, embankment, guardrail, etc, though one fatal crash was reported earlier on Wednesday in Pulaski County.

Motorists should continue to slow speeds for adverse conditions. By increasing the distance between you and the vehicle ahead of you, you can help limit crashes by giving yourself more time to react.

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