This afternoon, 29 state-maintained roads in Fredericksburg District remain closed. Several roads will require reconstruction or replacement of pipes and culverts. However VDOT is making progress repairing damage in order to open roads.
Tropical Storm Michael left a wake of damage last week as it blew through Virginia. The Fredericksburg district is a 14 county area including the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania and Stafford in the Fredericksburg area; Northumberland, Richmond, Lancaster and Westmoreland counties in the Northern Neck; Essex, Gloucester, King & Queen, King William, Mathews and Middlesex counties in the Middle Peninsula.
Immediately following the storm on Friday morning, more than 100 roads were closed in Fredericksburg District. Since then, VDOT crews have re-opened approximately two-thirds of these closed roads.
Ferry Service resumed today on the Sunnybank Ferry in Northumberland County. Service will resume tomorrow on the Merry Point Ferry in Lancaster County on its normal Tuesday-Saturday operating schedule.
Nearly all of the roads currently affected are located in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. VDOT crews from the Fredericksburg area, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads are joining the emergency response effort in these geographic areas to repair roads and restore travel as quickly as possible for residents.
Several primary roads remain closed where a portion of the road has been washed away by flood waters. These primary roads are Route 3 in Lancaster County and Route 201 and Route 202 in Northumberland County.
What Travelers and Residents Should Know:
- Motorists are asked to remain alert for numerous work zones and temporary lane closures in place today to repair roads, especially in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.
- Continue to report downed trees, tree debris, or other roadway hazards to VDOT’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623) or online at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov. The Customer Service Center is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to take reports and answer questions.
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Be alert for tree limbs and other debris in the roadway. Even small branches and other debris can damage a car or cause the driver to lose control.
- If you come across a downed power line, do not try to move it. Contact your local authorities.
On Route 17 at the Gloucester County and Middlesex County line, traffic is reduced to a single lane in each direction at Dragon Run. Motorists should be alert for the reduced 25 mph speed limit and temporary traffic pattern. Route 17 traffic will continue traveling over the southbound bridge until flood waters recede underneath the northbound bridge, providing enough space for crews to perform a bridge inspection.
Motorists are reminded to adhere to all road closed signs and barricades, and to follow the posted detour route. Roads have been closed for traveler safety.
VDOT structure and bridge engineers continue to inspect roads, culverts and bridges today with potential structural damage. In some cases, roads will require reconstruction or replacement of pipes and culverts. Emergency procurement methods will be used to expedite repair. Additional information on the construction schedule to reopen roads with significant damage will be available later this week once structure inspections are complete.
Travelers should check 511Virginia and the Road Conditions Table for a real-time list of road closures and lane closures, which will be updated as hazards are cleared.
511Virginia
Download the free mobile 511 app for Apple and Android devices to stay connected, or visit www.511Virginia.org. Motorists also can reach 511Virginia by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia.
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