Senator Warner urges action over automobile fatalities
Senator Mark Warner joined Senator Ed Markey and other Senate colleagues to urge Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to take action regarding the rising rates of motor vehicle fatalities.
The United States had the highest increase in traffic accidents since 2020.
Nearly half of fatal crashes are linked to speeding, impaired driving, or failure to wear a seat belt.
34% of fatalities are to pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 42,915 deaths from motor vehicle crashes in 2021.
Those numbers are up 10% since 2020 and 32% since 2011.
To read the letter sent to Secretary Buttigieg, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDOT prepares for the weather that is predicted tonight 1/6
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) confirms in an email that they are prepared for tonight’s Jan. 6 impending wintry weather.
VDOT has already pretreated roads and have crews deployed to monitor and treat roads as needed.
Beginning tonight crews will remain on 12 hour shifts 24 hours until roads have had at least one pass.
Motorist are advised to not travel once the snow begins unless absolute necessary.
If you have to travel monitor all road conditions up to the minute at 511virginia.org.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
I-95 is back open but caution is still advised
In an email from Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) the announcement was made that all lanes are back open on Interstate 95 (I-95) near Fredericksburg.
All disabled vehicles have been removed but signal lights and interstate cameras are not working because of power outages caution is still advised.
Travelers including Senator Kaine were stuck on I-95 after a tractor trailer jackknifed causing a chain reaction that block both north and south bound lanes of the interstate.
Many vehicles were stranded in a 40 mile stretch of I-95 starting early Mon. Jan. 3 until late Tues. Jan 4.
The email from VDOT arrived at 8:37 p.m. Tues. Jan. 4 announcing the all clear after authorities were able to direct travelers to the nearest exits.
In that email only essential travel on I-95 is recommended because of the signal outages and slick spots.
Up to the minute road conditions are always available at 511virginia.org.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDOT suspends lane closures and road work for the holidays
| An email from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced the suspension of lane closures and road work through the holidays. All work zones will be lift and lane closures will be suspended from Thur. Dec. 23 through Mon. Dec. 27. You can expect the same for those previous listed lanes from noon Thur. Dec. 30 through Mon. Jan. 3. Where most lane closures will be suspended there may still be some that need to remain closed for complete information available at VDOT’s website. HOV and tolls on Rt. 66 will be lifted Dec. 24 and Dec. 31 as well. HOV restrictions and express lane tolls will also be lifted on Interstate 64, 264 and 564 on Thur. Dec. 23 until noon on Mon. 27. Expect the same on those previous listed lanes at noon Thur. Dec. 30 through Mon. Jan. 3 as well. The Rt. 64 express lanes in Norfolk may be used at no cost to motorists outside of normal operating hours as well. Up to the minute travel information for the state of Virginia is available at 511virginia.org. Up to the minute travel information for the state of West Virginia is available at wv511.org. For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. |
VDOT offers a planning meeting on Opequon Bridge
This Thurs. Aug. 19 Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will hold a public hearing at the Snowden Bridge Community Center.
The meeting will concern the replacement of the 93 year old Opequon Creek Bridge.
The bridge is located at the Clarke, Frederick County line.
VDOT officials and designers will be on hand from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. to discuss the project with the public.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDOT maps Electric Charging Locations
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have launched an electric vehicle charging stations locator.
Find charging station information at the U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center.
The locator will include the type of connector as well as charger type along with the electric vehicle network.
All that information is also now available at 511virginina.org.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
W.VA. Gov. orders stronger enforcement on 81 and other highways
West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice calls for stepped up enforcement of speed limits on major highways.
After the loss of life last week at the West Virginia Virginia line on Interstate 81 Gov. Justice ordered State Police to enforce reduced speed limits in work zones.
The governor also ordered the Department of Transportation to go above and beyond national safety standards with signs and traffic control on all highways.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.