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VDOT prepares for winter
Despite massive budget cuts announced last month and the widely criticized handling of a February ice storm this year, the Virginia Department of Transportation says it is ready for winter weather.
Maintaining last year's staffing levels, the agency has prepared 3,200 crew members and 3,700 pieces of snow removal equipment. It has $75.8 million set aside to pay for manpower and supplies, about $5 million less than it had last year.
The agency also contracts with private companies to have an additional 4,300 pieces of equipment at the ready. There are 234,000 tons of road salt and 62,000 tons of sand in stock – more salt and less sand than last year.
VDOT aims to have all roads passable within 48 hours after a storm ends. Crews begin by clearing interstates, primary roads and major secondary roads that connect important public facilities. Secondary roads and subdivision streets will be treated in case of severe or multi-day storms.
“This may mean some smaller roads or subdivision streets are not plowed as they have been in the past,” VDOT Commissioner David Ekern said. “We will still respond to every storm, but citizens may experience more snowstorms where subdivision streets covered with only an inch or two of snow are left to melt rather than dedicating our resources to these areas.”
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