VDOT prepares for freezing rain ahead of Christmas Eve travel
WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) is urging residents to stay home and delay travel as freezing rain is expected to create icy road conditions Tuesday morning.
In preparation, VDOT crews have been brining roadways across the Commonwealth to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement.
The wintry mix is forecasted to affect travel between 5 a.m. and 11 a.m., a time when many are expected to hit the roads for last-minute holiday shopping or travel.
A video shared on VDOT’s social media platform X showed crews brining critical areas such as bridges, ramps, and overpasses, which are prone to freezing first.
Alex Liggitt, VDOT’s Northern Virginia Communications Manager, explained their strategy:
The brine solution, which is 23% salt and 77% water, leaves behind white residue lines on the roads and acts as a barrier against ice formation.
Crews focused on high-traffic areas Monday morning and afternoon, pausing during rush hour and planning to resume brining operations Monday night if necessary.
With freezing rain expected to clear by noon Tuesday, VDOT is advising residents to remain vigilant and avoid travel during the hazardous conditions.
Winter Weather Advisory: Freezing rain, snow possible Tuesday
A fast-moving clipper system will bring the possibility of a brief period of rain, snow, and freezing rain to the Washington, D.C. region on Tuesday morning. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Christmas Eve for D.C. and surrounding areas of Maryland and northern Virginia.