VDOT crews look out for refreeze

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia Department of Transportation has crews working through Saturday to make sure the roads are safe for motorists.

VDOT spokesman Kris Purzycki says their main concern on Saturday is the snow and ice melting and then refreezing. Purzycki says VDOT crews worked through the night and will stay on call throughout Saturday.

"With the freezing temperatures overnight, it's really a matter of addressing the refreezing of the snow that has melted on the roads," said Purzycki. "So the crews have been out all night; deicing, using an abrasive salt and sand mixture to add both traction, as well as help prevent the ice from refreezing."

Photos: Jan. 25 snowfall

Purzycki said VDOT crews faced challenges on bridges, overpasses and ramps on Friday evening as the snow fell. Another challenge for crews was what time the storm started: during evening rush hour. Purzycki said plows had a tough time making it through the traffic to clear the roads.

"Once the pretreatment wore off, normally the trucks would be able to go in and apply abrasives or plow," said Purzycki. "The trucks weren't actually able to make it to those areas."

Virginia Beach Police spokeswoman Grazia Moyers said officers were working 10-15 accidents at any given time throughout the city Saturday, with new accident being dispatched every one to two minutes. Many roads are impassable. Sections of Princess Anne Road and Lynnhaven Parkway remained closed Saturday morning.   

In Newport News there were 76 weather related accidents reported to police Friday evening, six of which were reported with injuries. In one incident, a man was trapped in his car after he slammed into a light pole. Fire crews were able to free the man, who was taken to a local hospital for treatment of a non life-threatening leg injury.

Virginia State Police reported hundreds of crashes just from their agency alone due to the winter weather. The City of Suffolk also saw issues on Main Street .

VDOT is urging drivers to continue to use caution has they travel on Saturday.