81S continuous lane closure begins Friday near Strasburg

crossover boulevard bridge

VDOT is reminding motorists to expect significant delays while travelling on 81 southbound this weekend due to the ongoing 81 expansion project.

Long duration single lane operation will begin Friday, October 2nd at 9pm and continue through Saturday, October 3rd till 9pm between mile markers 300-296 near the 81-66 exchange.

VDOT anticipates traffic backups to reach 8-11 miles during daylight hours on Saturday and create a cascading effect to other roads including:

  • Route 11
  • Route 522
  • Reliance Road
  • Fairfax Pike
  • and others throughout Frederick, Shenandoah, and Warren Counties

During the closure, the southbound Exit 298 off ramp to Route 11 will be closed.

Motorists wishing to use Route 11 South as an alternate route must use Exit 302 before returning to the interstate at MM 298 entrance ramp.

The Strasburg area construction will take place towards the median and include replacing the bridge over Cedar Creek, widening a bridge over the CSX railway, and construction of a 1 mile sound barrier wall.

The $58.6 million project is expected to be completed by fall of 2028.

For more information on the project from VDOT, click here.

For more information from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

VA seeks public input on Statewide Safety Plan

Virginia is updating its Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) – Arrive Alive.

This is a statewide initiative that establishes priorities and strategies for improving roadway safety across the Commonwealth.

The plan addresses safety for all road users, including drivers and passengers, pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists.

The SHSP is overseen by a Steering Committee.

Made up of the following organizations:

  • Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT),
  • Virginia State Police (VSP),
  • Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV),
  • Department of Health (VDH)
  • Other state and local agencies and transportation safety partners.

As part of the update, the committee is asking Virginians to share their experiences, concerns and ideas about roadway safety.

Public feedback will help identify safety priorities and inform the next version of the SHSP.

This will guide transportation safety efforts across Virginia in the coming years.

Residents are encouraged to share their perspectives to help shape strategies aimed at reducing crashes, preventing serious injuries and saving lives on Virginia roads.

Learn more about the Strategic Highway Safety Plan – Arrive Alive and how to provide feedback through the Virginia Department of Transportation’s safety plan page

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The Road Ahead: VDOT’s Bold Plan to Transform I-81 Through the Shenandoah Valley

If you’ve driving Interstate 81 through Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley lately, you’ll likely notice the orange cones, the shifted lanes, and the slow crawl through construction zones. But what exactly is happening out there — and more importantly, what’s coming next? To find out, The Valley Today host Janet Michael sits down with Ken Slack, Communications Specialist for VDOT’s Staunton District, for a candid conversation about one of the most ambitious infrastructure programs in the state’s history. Click here to listen to the full conversation.

A Project 324 Miles in the Making

The numbers alone are enough to make your head spin. VDOT is currently executing 65 separate capital improvement projects along a single 324-mile stretch of I-81 — and the Shenandoah Valley sits squarely in the middle of it all. Right now, active construction zones operate simultaneously in Staunton, Harrisonburg, Weyers Cave, and Strasburg. That’s four major work zones within roughly 75 miles of highway.

“It’s gonna affect a lot of people over many years,” Slack acknowledges during the conversation. But far from being overwhelmed by the scope, VDOT is approaching the program with surgical precision — carefully sequencing each project to minimize disruption while keeping traffic flowing on one of the East Coast’s most heavily traveled corridors.

Strasburg: Progress at 40% — With More to Come

The most visible project in the Valley right now is the I-81 widening at Strasburg, and Slack reports that the work is moving steadily forward. Crews have already poured the deck for the first new section of the bridge over Cedar Creek, and the project sits at roughly 40% completion. By around August, VDOT plans to shift traffic toward the median, allowing contractors to tackle the next phase of bridge work on the outside lanes.

So why does it take so long? As Slack explains, bridge replacements — not road widening — drive the timeline. “Widening the actual roadway is not as complicated as replacing a bridge,” he says. “We do these bridge projects in stages so that we can keep traffic moving.” Two bridges are currently in play at Strasburg: a full replacement of the southbound span over Cedar Creek and a widening of the southbound bridge over the CSX railway about a mile further south.

Winchester’s Millwood Bridge: A Massive Undertaking

As significant as the Strasburg work is, it may be overshadowed by what’s coming at Exit 313 in Winchester. The I-81 bridge at Millwood Avenue — which carries Routes 50, 17, and 522 and sees tens of thousands of vehicles daily — is due for a complete overhaul. VDOT plans to replace the existing seven-lane structure with a new nine-lane bridge, building it just to the north of the current span before shifting traffic over.

The surrounding improvements are equally ambitious. Turn lanes, auxiliary lanes, and pedestrian accommodations will reshape the roadway on both the city and county sides of the interchange. “It’s a very complicated project no matter what,” Slack says plainly. For drivers who rely on that corridor daily, his advice is clear: start paying attention now, because the changes — and the disruptions — will be significant.

Exit 317: A New Kind of Interchange

Meanwhile, just a few miles to the north, VDOT is preparing to fundamentally redesign Exit 317 at Martinsburg Pike. The plan calls for a diverging diamond interchange — a relatively new design that improves traffic flow by temporarily routing drivers to the opposite side of the road as they cross the overpass. It’s a concept that may sound counterintuitive but has proven highly effective at reducing congestion and improving safety.

“It’s a completely different kind of interchange,” Slack says. “We don’t have any on 81 in this part of Virginia.” To make room for the new design, VDOT is already relocating Redbud Road — a necessary first step before the northbound off-ramp can be repositioned. All of this work, including the widening of I-81 from mile markers 317 to 319, will be bundled under a single design-build contract.

A public meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2026, and Slack encourages anyone with an interest in the project to attend. Want to hear more about what to expect at these meetings? Listen to the full conversation at https://thevalleytodaypodcast.com/vdot-road-report-planning-public-input-and-progress 

Why Public Input Actually Matters

Speaking of public meetings, Slack is quick to push back on a common perception: that by the time VDOT holds a meeting, the decisions have already been made. Not so, he insists. “There are some things that all of the traffic studies in the world and all of the detailed engineering analysis may not be able to tell you,” he said.

Local knowledge — school bus patterns, seasonal surges, quirks in the way people actually use the roads — can shape design decisions in ways that data simply can’t capture. VDOT structures its public meetings to be as accessible as possible: no podiums, no formal testimony, just open-house style sessions with engineers, display boards, and one-on-one conversations. For those who can’t attend in person, an online survey runs simultaneously, allowing anyone to weigh in from home.

Oranda Park and Ride: A Small Project With Big Impact

Not every improvement on VDOT’s list involves a billion-dollar interchange. Near Strasburg at Exit 298, the agency is preparing to nearly triple the size of the Oranda Park and Ride — expanding from roughly 43 spaces to approximately 130. The upgraded facility will feature full paving, improved lighting, curbing, and a new crosswalk across Oranda Road.

Construction should begin this summer, and Slack is quick to reassure local commuters: the work won’t impact traffic on Route 11 or I-81. It’s the kind of unglamorous but genuinely useful improvement that often flies under the radar — until, suddenly, you need a parking spot.

The Bigger Picture

Ultimately, what makes this conversation so compelling isn’t any single project — it’s the sheer scale and complexity of coordinating all of them at once. Contractor sequencing, design-build partnerships, community outreach, resource allocation — every piece has to fit together for the program to succeed. And through it all, Slack keeps coming back to one theme: communication.

“Folks are sometimes a little more understanding about the delays and congestion on these projects if they understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it,” he says. It’s a simple idea, but in a region where I-81 is a lifeline for commuters, businesses, and travelers alike, it makes all the difference.

To hear the full conversation with Ken Slack — including details on the diverging diamond interchange, how VDOT selects contractors, and what to expect at the upcoming public meeting — click here to listen to this episode of The Valley Today.

Stay up to date on all I-81 projects at *improve81.org or by searching “VDOT projects” online.*

On the Road with VDOT: Widening 81, Potholes, and the Rail Trail

vdot potholes pod
The Work Zone You Drive Through Every Day

Every morning, thousands of Shenandoah Valley commuters merge through orange barrels, slow for reduced speed limits, and navigate narrowed lanes on I-81 near Strasburg. Most of them wonder the same thing: when will this ever be finished?

Ken Slack has the answer — and a lot more to say about what’s coming next.

Slack serves as Communications Specialist for VDOT’s Staunton District, and talks with The Valley Today host Janet Michael on a stormy spring afternoon to break down the state of the Valley’s roads, bridges, and trails in plain, accessible terms. What emerged was a detailed portrait of an agency managing enormous responsibility across a vast corridor — one pothole, one bridge beam, and one public meeting at a time. Click here to listen.

Progress on I-81: A Bridge Takes Shape

The most visible construction project in the region is moving forward on schedule. VDOT’s southbound widening of I-81 at Strasburg is now approximately one-third complete, with a target finish date of fall 2028. While that timeline still stretches more than two years out, Slack points to recent milestones that signal meaningful momentum.

“Just over the last few weeks, folks driving through — especially at night — might have seen the contractors putting some of those massive steel beams in place for a new section of the bridge over Cedar Creek,” Slack explains. The bridge sits at the Shenandoah-Warren County line and represents phase one of a full replacement of the southbound structure. With the beams now in place, crews will soon pour the concrete decking and shift traffic onto the new section, freeing them to build the second half.

Slack expects that traffic shift to happen around August — a small but significant milestone in a project that will ultimately transform one of the region’s most congested stretches of interstate. “When it’s all finished,” he says, “you’re gonna be like, I forgot what it was like before, but this is nice now.”

Winchester Is Next — And VDOT Is Planning Smarter

Even as Strasburg work continues, VDOT is already looking north. Upcoming improvements in the Winchester area will address both interstate widening and a major reconfiguration of the Exit 317 interchange, including a new diverging diamond design. Rather than tackle these projects separately — which would mean tearing up pavement twice — VDOT made the deliberate decision to bundle them into a single design-build contract.

“It makes a lot more sense if we can bundle those projects,” Slack says. “A design-build team comes in a little bit earlier in the process, finishes up the design, takes it through right-of-way and construction.”

Still, the sheer scope of Winchester’s needs required dividing the work into northern and southern segments. The northern half will cover roughly two miles of widening and replacement of six bridges, while the southern segment follows a year or two later. Construction remains a couple of years away, but planning is already well underway. For commuters who navigate the tangle of I-81, Route 522, and Route 50 every day, the improvements cannot come soon enough.

Pothole Season: The Science Behind the Frustration

Beyond the major construction zones, Slack turned his attention to one of the most universally relatable road complaints: potholes. And he came prepared with a remarkably clear explanation of why they form in the first place.

“Fill a plastic water bottle all the way to the top, put the cap on it, and put it in your freezer,” he offers. “When it freezes, that bottle’s gonna expand.” The same principle applies to water that seeps into cracks in asphalt. As late winter and early spring bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, moisture beneath the road surface expands, contracts, and eventually forces the pavement to buckle and break. Traffic does the rest.

VDOT responds with three types of patching material — hot mix, cold mix, and warm mix — each suited to different seasons and conditions. Cold mix, applicable year-round, serves as a temporary fix. Hot mix delivers a longer-lasting repair but requires warmer conditions. When potholes repeatedly reappear in the same stretch of road, that pattern typically signals that fuller rehabilitation is needed.

How to Get Your Pothole Fixed

Rather than simply venting on social media, Slack encourages residents to report road issues directly to VDOT. The agency’s online portal, accessible by searching “MyVDOT,” is mobile-friendly and accepts reports for potholes, drainage problems, downed signs, and storm debris. Residents can also call 800-FOR-ROAD.

Critically, Slack emphasizes that real people — not automated systems — receive and process these reports. Each submission generates a work order routed to the nearest area headquarters. “It will get taken care of at some point,” he says. “It may not be as fast as you’d like all the time, but it will get done.”

Bridges Built to Last: The Salt Problem Nobody Talks About

The conversation also surfaced a less obvious infrastructure challenge: the corrosive effect of road salt on bridges. While salt plays an essential role in winter road safety, it accelerates deterioration at bridge seams and joints — the points where sections meet and moisture can infiltrate.

VDOT’s answer, wherever possible, is to build jointless structures. Slack points to the bridge over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Front Royal — completed around 2017 and stretching nearly 1,900 feet — as a standout example. It holds the distinction of being the longest jointless structure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“When you don’t have seams, there’s nowhere for those salts and the moisture to get in and cause corrosion,” Slack explains. “That thing will last for the better part of a century.”

A Trail — or a Rail? The Valley Faces a Big Decision

Perhaps the most forward-looking topic of the conversation was a feasibility study that could reshape how Valley residents and visitors experience the region entirely. VDOT is currently conducting a rail-with-trail assessment of a nearly 50-mile former Norfolk Southern rail corridor stretching from the town of Broadway in northern Rockingham County, through Mount Jackson, Strasburg, and Woodstock, all the way to downtown Front Royal.

The study explores two possibilities: converting the unused rail line entirely into a recreational trail, or building a multi-use trail alongside the existing rail infrastructure — preserving the option for future freight or excursion rail service. Both scenarios carry significant implications for tourism, economic development, property rights, and regional connectivity.

To gather community input, VDOT is hosting in-person public meetings in April in Woodstock, Timberville, and Front Royal. An online survey will also launch in early April for those who cannot attend in person. All feedback will feed into a final report submitted to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

“That’s why we reach out,” Slack says. “We try to do it in different ways — in-person meetings, online surveys — to give folks a chance to weigh in.”

The Long View

What stands out most from the conversation with Ken Slack is not any single project or timeline, but the underlying philosophy driving VDOT’s work: infrastructure is generational. The decisions made today about I-81, about Winchester’s interchanges, about a quiet unused rail line threading through the Valley’s small towns — these decisions will shape how people live, work, and move through this region long after the orange barrels are gone.

“These are improvements that I think are gonna be much appreciated by a lot of the folks that drive this corridor,” Slack says.

For Valley residents, staying informed and showing up to public meetings is more than civic participation. It’s a direct line to shaping that future.

VDOT: Brine Lines & Battle Plans

vdot brine lines pod
The Science of Snow Preparation

When winter storms threaten the Shenandoah Valley, VDOT’s Staunton District springs into action long before the first flakes fall. In a recent episode of The Valley Today, host Janet Michael speaks with Ken Slack, the district’s Communications Specialist, who reveals that preparation begins days in advance, with teams monitoring weather systems and planning for the worst-case scenario. “It’s a whole lot easier and more efficient for us to scale back if we need to than it is to try to ramp up at the last minute,” Ken explains. Click here to listen.

The district’s response involves far more than simply sending out plows. In fact, VDOT employs a sophisticated approach that considers air temperature, ground temperature, precipitation type, and timing. Before a storm arrives, crews apply brine pre-treatment—those distinctive white stripes residents see on interstates and major roadways. However, this isn’t an indiscriminate process. If forecasters predict rain before snow, crews hold off on pre-treating because the rain would simply wash away these valuable resources.

A Massive Operation Across 11 Counties

The scale of VDOT’s winter operations is staggering. The Staunton District covers 11 counties stretching from Winchester to Natural Bridge and west to Covington, including approximately 150 miles of I-81. During significant storms, the district mobilizes up to 900 trucks—a combination of VDOT equipment and contracted vehicles. “VDOT cannot do this alone,” Ken emphasizes, noting that the agency begins reaching out to contractors and hired equipment operators as early as spring and summer.

Moreover, the district’s geography creates unique challenges. What happens in Highland County—Virginia’s “Little Switzerland”—often differs dramatically from conditions in Frederick or Page counties. To address this variability, VDOT divides the district into three residencies, which are further broken down into area headquarters with locals on staff who know every cold spot and sun-deprived stretch of road in their territory.

Why Your Street Gets Plowed Last

Understanding VDOT’s road hierarchy helps explain why some streets see plows immediately while others wait. The agency follows a clear priority system: interstates first, then primary roads (numbered below 600), next are secondary roads (600 and higher), and finally subdivisions and side streets. This approach ensures that emergency responders can reach hospitals, fire departments remain accessible, and commerce continues to flow.

During heavy, sustained snowfall, plow drivers may never leave the interstate. Ken describes drivers making continuous loops on their assigned sections—perhaps 13 miles of eastbound and westbound lanes—for their entire 12-hour shift. “By the time they do that whole circuit, an hour’s probably passed,” he notes. “And guess what? If it’s snowing an inch an hour or quite often more, they’re gonna be doing it again and again and again.”

The Driveway Dilemma and Other Frustrations

Perhaps no issue generates more complaints than the freshly plowed driveway that gets filled back in by a passing plow truck. Ken addresses this head-on, explaining that drivers cannot lift their plows at every driveway without leaving dangerous gaps throughout their routes. Instead, he offers practical advice: when shoveling, push snow to the right side of the driveway (facing the road) to minimize re-accumulation, and if possible, wait until after the plow passes to clear the apron.

Additionally, residents can help crews by parking off-street during storms, removing trash cans and other obstacles from roadways, and postponing travel. “Give us a chance to do our jobs,” Ken urges, noting that plow operators navigate not just snow but also vehicles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, and occasionally even flying snow shovels from frustrated residents.

The Human Element

Behind every plow truck sits a person working grueling 12-hour shifts, often for days at a time during major storms. These operators face thankless conditions—plowing day and night, navigating around obstacles, and dealing with both grateful residents offering coffee and angry ones shaking fists. Ken shares a heartwarming story of a driver who saw someone running toward his truck with a shovel, bracing for confrontation, only to receive a bag of donuts instead.

The trucks themselves rarely stop running during major events. Like police cruisers, they simply swap drivers at shift changes, refuel, reload with salt, and head back out. This continuous operation keeps roads as clear as possible while snow continues falling.

Planning for the Unpredictable

Ultimately, VDOT’s winter strategy balances preparation with flexibility. The agency maintains finite resources (taxpayer dollars) and must deploy them strategically. Teams make countless decisions—which roads to salt versus plow, when to call in contractors, how to allocate equipment across varying conditions—all while storms evolve unpredictably.

For residents wondering when their street will be cleared, Ken offers reassurance: “We will get to you.” The key is patience and understanding that during significant storms, crews work around the clock following a system designed to keep the most critical routes open first. And for those who spot a tractor or unmarked truck clearing their subdivision, there’s a good chance VDOT is writing that operator a check—proof that the agency’s network of support extends far beyond its own fleet. As winter weather continues threatening the region, one message rings clear: VDOT’s snow response is equal parts science, strategy, and stamina, executed by dedicated crews who deserve recognition and gratitude.

$218.9 million contract awarded for I-81 expansion near Harrisonburg

crossover boulevard bridge

VDOT awarded a $218.9 million contract this morning to Triton Construction Inc. of West Virginia to widen about six miles of Interstate 81 in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Construction begins this spring and will take six years to complete.

The project adds a third northbound and southbound lane starting one mile south of Exit 243 and one mile north of Exit 247.

The project will replace eight bridges along the interstate, including the Pleasant Valley Road overpass.

The first several months of construction will include strengthening the right shoulder and installing concrete barriers to protect the work zone.

Then widening will expand towards the median and include construction of a four mile noise barrier wall, upgrades to storm water management and replacing signals with a roundabout at the intersection of Early and Pleasant Valley Road.

The $4 billion I-81 Corridor Improvement Program funds the project to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and support economic growth.

Other I-81 CIP project areas include Winchester, with work starting in 2028, and Strasburg, scheduled for completion in fall 2028.

For more information on the I-81 CIP, visit https://improve81.vdot.virginia.gov/.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

VDOT to hold public hearing on South Street improvements

new bridges shenandoah county

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding a Public Hearing on Wednesday January 14th regarding a safety improvement project on South Street in Front Royal the town announced.

The public hearing will be taking place at Samuels Public Library in Front Royal.

This safety improvement project on South Street will be taking place from Hill Street to Commerce Avenue.

Planned improvements include:

  • Adding crosswalks at several locations along and across South Street
  • Upgrade in traffic signals
  • Installing raised medians that can also be used as pedestrian refuge areas

The approval of the design is estimated to take place in Spring of 2026 and the advertising for construction will tale place in summer of 2027.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The S-Word Season: Inside VDOT’s Winter Readiness

vdot snow show pod

As December arrives in the Shenandoah Valley, most residents brace for winter’s first flakes with equal parts nostalgia and dread. Yet for Ken Slack, communications specialist for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the “S-word” signals something far more serious: the start of long days, sleepless nights, and the full activation of a year-round effort to keep the region moving safely.

During this year’s annual “Snow Show” on The Valley Today – click here to listen – host Janet Michael talks with Ken to uncover what really happens behind the scenes before, during, and after winter storms. The conversation reveals a complex system of planning, people, equipment, and science—all working together to protect the Shenandoah Valley’s roads.

A Year-Round Operation: Preparing for Winter in July

Although most Virginians don’t think about snow until the weather turns cold, VDOT never stops planning for winter. Ken explains that salt acquisition, equipment preparation, and contractor coordination happen “pretty much year-round.” Because Mid-Atlantic states often pull from the same salt suppliers, VDOT begins stockpiling materials months in advance.

By early summer, the agency starts contracting plow operators and supplemental crews—critical partners, since VDOT alone cannot cover the 11-county region with 150 miles of Interstate 81 in the Staunton District. For many contractors, winter work fills seasonal employment gaps, making it a mutually beneficial relationship.

As fall approaches, VDOT conducts “dry runs,” where plows, spreaders, dump trucks, graders, and even the occasional snowblower undergo rigorous inspection. Mechanics check everything from hydraulics to electronic components to the flashing safety lights. New operators also drive their designated routes with seasoned staff to learn every cul-de-sac, mailbox, driveway, and hazard before the first storm arrives.

More Than Machines: The Human Infrastructure

VDOT’s winter workforce extends far beyond plow drivers. The agency maintains equipment repair shops in multiple locations—including Staunton, Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Alleghany County—staffed with specialists who not only service vehicles in the shop but often crawl under trucks on the roadside during storms.

The agency also relies on dozens of employees whose regular jobs have nothing to do with snow removal. During weather events, environmental staff, surveyors, office workers, and administrative teams might be reassigned to phone operations, storm reporting, or road-condition updates that feed directly into the statewide 511 Virginia system.

As Ken puts it, “VDOT is an all-hands-on-deck operation whenever it snows.”

Forecasting the Fight: Science Meets Local Knowledge

Weather drives nearly every decision VDOT makes during a storm. To stay ahead, the agency collaborates closely with two National Weather Service offices—Sterling for the northern Shenandoah Valley and Blacksburg for the southern region—while also relying on a private forecasting consultant.

However, the most valuable insights often come from the ground. Supervisors stationed throughout the district contribute hyperlocal knowledge about cold pockets, shaded roadways, tricky curves, and elevations where conditions can change dramatically within a few miles. This matters in a district that stretches from Page County’s valleys to Highland County’s rugged ridges, nicknamed “Virginia’s Switzerland” for its long, snowy seasons.

Understanding Treatments: Brine, Salt, and Abrasives

One of the most common misconceptions among drivers involves road treatments—particularly when VDOT chooses not to pre-treat ahead of a storm. Ken clarifies that brine (a saltwater solution) only works when applied well in advance of snowfall. If a storm begins with rain, the liquid simply washes away. That’s why VDOT carefully times its anti-icing operations 24 to 36 hours before precipitation arrives.

Salt remains the standard treatment, but once temperatures drop into the low 20s or teens, its effectiveness weakens. That’s when the agency may incorporate abrasives—fine, gritty particles smaller than pea gravel—to help vehicles gain traction. In extreme cold, VDOT may also use calcium chloride, a more potent but costlier option reserved for the harshest conditions.

And yes—VDOT mixes its own brine in giant onsite tanks equipped with agitators.

The Interstates Come First: Prioritizing What Matters Most

When snow starts falling, VDOT’s first priority is always the interstates and major primary roads that support hospitals, fire and rescue, commercial trucking, and essential travel. During heavy storms, plow operators may spend the entire event clearing a single 30-mile stretch of Interstate 81, circling back and forth until snowfall eases.

Only once the major routes are reasonably clear can operators move to secondary roads and neighborhoods.

Why Staying Home Makes a Difference

Both Janet and Ken stress one message above all: staying off the roads during storms dramatically improves safety—and speeds up VDOT’s work.

“It’s a lot easier to plow a road that doesn’t have any vehicles on it,” Ken explains. Fewer cars mean fewer accidents, fewer stuck vehicles blocking lanes, and fewer obstacles for plow drivers navigating low visibility and icy conditions.

For those who must drive—retail workers, health-care employees, and service professionals—Ken offers clear advice: leave early, drive slowly, avoid sudden movements, and give yourself far more stopping distance than usual. And when in doubt, assume the road is icy—especially when freezing rain creates hazardous, nearly invisible “black ice.”

Tools for Drivers: 511 and Real-Time Road Temperature Data

VDOT’s 511 Virginia system provides far more than traffic cameras. Drivers can access pavement temperature readings, weather station data, alerts, and real-time incident reports—tools that help them decide when (or whether) to travel.

Even VDOT staff use the traffic cameras to track approaching storms: “They’ll watch the snow hit Mount Jackson, and they know it’s coming next.”

A Final Word: Respect the Storm

As the conversation ends, Ken offers one last reminder: preparation, patience, and caution remain the keys to a safer winter season. Whether you’re a commuter, a weekend traveler, or just someone who loves snow days, VDOT’s work depends on drivers doing their part.

And if you need an excuse to stay home? Janet jokes that she’ll be citing Ken personally.

Laurel Ridge student’s success recognized by VCCS

Laurel Ridge Workforce Solutions student Zachary Caudle was presented with the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Workforce Development in the category of Outstanding Student Success Story at the Virginia Community College System’s Hire Ed Conference on November 14th.

Caudle was recognized for embodying the transformative power of education and demonstrating personal and professional growth through the achievement of a credential.

Caudle bounced around warehouse jobs and trucking before applying to change his career with Laurel Ridge Work Force Solutions.

He has since earned numerous certificates and began working as a systems administrator for VDOT’s operation technology while pursuing his bachelor’s degree.

The Sherando High School Grad and current Elkton resident said, “ It’s crazy to see if you just put your head down and really want something, how quickly you can attain your goals at Laurel Ridge. It wouldn’t have been possible without this place.”

Thanks to the FastForward career training programs and G3 tuition assistance, all of Caudle’s tuition costs were covered.

Once earning his bachelors degree, Caudle will pursue a career as a cloud solutions architect.

To view the full announcement, click here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

VDOT starts blasting near Strasburg for I-81 improvements October 27

crossover boulevard bridge

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reports by email that controlled blasting is scheduled to begin October 27 near Strasburg.

The blasting will continue through October 31 near mile marker 297.

The work is done to remove a large area of rock in the median of Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County.

The blasting will be done once or twice a week between 10 a.m. and 12 noon Tuesday to Thursdays through early December.

Before each blasting period Virginia State Police will conduct a slow roll or even a brief stop on both directions of 81 between exits 296 and 298.

A slow roll is created by law enforcement vehicles in all four travel lanes doing as low as 10 miles per hour.

In some cases a complete stop will be needed lasting no longer than 15 minutes at a time.

During the blasting traffic will be stopped by flaggers on Route 55 near the 81 interchange as well.

This blasting is going to be heard in Strasburg and will not be done on Election Day November 4, Veterans Day November 11 or during Thanksgiving week.

The work is all part of the widening work for 81 just south of the exit 300 junction with Interstate 66.

The work is to add a third 4-mile-long southbound lane to 81 and replace the bridge over Cedar Creek.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.