VDOT announces snow plowing will continue as in previous years

Like This? Click Here to Recommend View larger image William J. Stover, area superintendent for VDOT, checks the settling tank for a 60,000 gallon batch of anti-icing brine at the Stephens City residency on Monday. The anti-icing agent is a mixture of salt and water that is used as a pretreatment on area roads for winter snow. The Mt. Jackson VDOT residency has a 20,000 gallon facility and both residencies will supply the agent to treat roads in Shenandoah, Warren, Frederick and Clarke counties. Rich Cooley/Daily View larger image A VDOT truck demonstrates the application of anti-icing brine that will be applied to pretreat area roads. Rich Cooley/Daily View larger image William J. Stover, area superintendent for VDOT, checks the settling tank for this 60,000 gallon anti-icing brine at the Stephens City residency on Monday. Rich Cooley/Daily

By Garren Shipley -- gshipley@nvdaily.com

STEPHENS CITY -- Times may be hard at the Virginia Department of Transportation, but snow plows will roll this winter just as they always have, according to the agency.

VDOT reaffirmed its snow removal plans for the coming winter at its annual winter weather press conference Monday.

VDOT's budget has taken some huge hits in recent months, as an economic slowdown and overly optimistic revenue estimates have left multibillion-dollar holes in the state's budget.

Agency Commissioner David Ekern warned the Commonwealth Transportation Board during a meeting in October 2008 that the agency might have to reduce its snow removal operations in the future.

Later budget cutting presentations -- which suggested funding losses could lead to closure, rather than plowing, of some rural roads in Shenandoah and Page counties -- led some local legislators to accuse the agency of balancing its budget on the backs of rural residents.

Ekern strenuously denied that any changes were coming in snow removal standards -- a position that was reinforced at Monday's news conference.

"The cuts have impacted VDOT operations, but they have not impacted our emergency operations," said agency spokeswoman Sandy Myers. "We are not going to experience any changes in any of the snow removal service this year from years past."

Statewide, the agency has a budget of nearly $80 million set aside for snow and ice removal purposes.

"We remain committed to our mission as an emergency response agency. During winter weather, drivers in Virginia count on us to keep people, services and goods moving safely from one corner of the commonwealth to the other," Ekern said in a statement Monday.

"While VDOT is making tough decisions to balance a significant revenue shortfall, our snow- and ice-removal standards will not change," he says.

VDOT maintains a fleet of 256 pieces of snow removal equipment in the Staunton District, with another 362 available from the private sector for interstate plowing and other roads as needed.

Local VDOT crews will be using a new, preventive measure when foul weather threatens -- pre-treating roads with a brine solution before the first flakes fall.

Other parts of the commonwealth have used brine treatment to great success, and now the method is coming to the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

"It prevents that snow from bonding with the pavement," said Stacy Sager, the maintenance operation manager for the agency's Edinburg residency.

Treating the roads ahead of time keeps roads in better shape while plow drivers make their rounds.

Using brine also is cost effective. Spraying pre-treatment onto asphalt uses about 120 pounds of salt per lane-mile.

"When we go out [with traditional salt spreaders] and the snow is hitting the ground, we're putting down approximately 300 pounds per lane mile," he said.

Crews will be testing the brine operations on Thursday, hoping to work out any kinks in the system while temperatures remain well above freezing.