VDOT & public works keep an eye on supplies as they prepare for more snow
LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) - More than halfway through the winter season, VDOT and public works crews are keeping an eye on their supplies.
Another winter storm means digging into more of their salt supply.
Lynchburg Public Works said Tuesday they can store about 5,000 tons of salt. So far they've used 1,350 tons. In a typical winter season they use half of their salt supply.
They have crews ready to work 12-hour shifts with spreader operations.
They are also asking that residents try to park off streets to give plows as much space as possible to get through.
VDOT in Salem and Lynchburg said they also have enough salt to get them through this storm. "During storms as we're using our materials we're going ahead and ordering, reordering. We have more than adequate supply now to be able to get through this storm and some future storms," said VDOT Spokesperson Paula Jones.
On the Southside, Danville Public Works has nearly 2,000 tons of salt on hand. They replenish after each storm and said if there is ice on the roads, they have to use more of their salt.
For this storm, VDOT said they chose to not pretreat the roads because the road temperatures were high. They said putting anything down on the roads wouldn't make a big difference and wouldn't be fiscally responsible.
VDOT reminds drivers they don't plow until they get several inches of snow.
"We also will be putting down abrasives as the storm progresses," said Jones. "If we get any icing conditions, we'll be making sure we have the abrasives down so there is something to provide traction to motorists."
VDOT asks for your patience as their crews work to clear all of the roads. Crews will be working 12-hour shifts starting Tuesday night at 7.
