Despite a series of deep and troubling budget cuts, the Virginia Department of Transportation says it is ready for the approaching winter season.
According to VDOT, emergency response abilities, including snow-and-ice removal operations, remain unchanged as a core service of VDOT.
While VDOT has been forced to make tough decisions to balance a significant revenue shortfall, statewide snow-and-ice removal standards will not change, according to VDOT Commissioner David Ekern.
The budget cuts ordered by VDOT included the closure of multiple rest areas along the Interstate 81 corridor, and the looming closure of VDOT’s residency offices in Tazewell.
Despite these difficult decisions, VDOT is still ready for the approaching winter season. The agency has a snow-removal budget of $79.6 million, and a response plan to ensure that all state-maintained roads remain safe during the 2009-2010 winter season. VDOT also has budgeted $14.1 million for snow-and-ice removal on interstate and primary roads maintained through its interstate maintenance contracts, according to a VDOT news release.
VDOT will continue its use of the latest anti-icing techniques this winter by applying chemicals to roadways before a storm to prepare the pavement and prevent a bond from forming between the surface and the snow and ice. The anti-icing chemicals include salt brine, magnesium chloride and calcium chloride.
VDOT is once again promising to have all roads passable within 48 hours after a storm ends. VDOT crews will respond first to interstate, primary roads and major secondary roads before treating other secondary roads and subdivision streets.
VDOT officials have repeatedly stressed that snow-and-ice removal operations in Southwest Virginia won’t be impacted by the budget cuts. They also argue that the closure of the Tazewell Residency office will have no impact on snow-and-ice removal efforts.
We hope they are correct. Winter weather is just around the corner. Residents of Southwest Virginia will be depending upon VDOT crews and their private-sector partners to keep our many mountainous and winding roadways clear of snow and ice.
We hope they won’t let us down.
