Getting VDOT to Clear Your Street

After a snowfall, especially a big snowfall, it can be frustrating waiting to VDOT to get your street cleared and cabin fever sets in pretty quickly when you are wondering "why aren't my roads clear?". Virginia Department of Transportation has a comprehensive system that dictates the order streets are cleared but the snow removal progress doesn't always seem to make sense.

In Virginia VDOT is required by Virginia code to clear all roads but the key is to understand that the snow removal priority is to make all roads passable, not clear. There is no need to call VDOT to request snow removal. Every street and every road is already on a list and scheduled for attention but this is not to say that VDOT and the contractors plowing the snow never miss something or make a mistake.

There are nine VDOT districts in the State of Virginia and each is responsible for coordinating snow removal effort in their area. You can find contact information for your district at the Virginia Department of Transportation website. Virginia also has a 5-1-1 hotline that gives road condition information around the state.

What to tell VDOT

Be prepared to give VDOT specific information. They will need the name of the road you are calling about and a landmark for the specific area of concern such as an intersection or mile marker.

VDOT will probably ask a few questions such as have the VDOT trucks or plows gone through at least once and if so when. They will also want to you describe the condition of the road you are calling about. It is icy? Are there trenches and ruts? Has the snow been compacted so much that the surface is turning into solid ice? Is there any pavement or road surface visable?

If you are concerned about pedestrian issues be sure to let VDOT know that is your concern. There are places that have a lot of walkers. VDOT clears roads. Sidewalks are the responsibility of homes and businesses but walkways on bridges and some other areas do fall into the Department of Transportation's responsibilities.

What to Expect VDOT To Do

You should expect VDOT to log your complaint or request.

You should expect VDOT to be polite and professional.

You should expect VDOT to be able to give you generic information such as where is the scheme of priorities your street falls and if their system shows that your road has been plowed or is dispatched for plowing yet if your road is still snowy.

Your local VDOT will not be able to tell you exactly what time they will arrive at your street but they can give you a general idea of how progress is going.

VDOT should be able to answer questions such as how many days they expect clearing to take and what primary road conditions are and what phase of treatment and plowing they are in.

What Not To Do When Contacting VDOT

It is counterproductive to yell, scream or make personal attacks on the person answering the phone.

It is inappropriate to call the person on the other end of the phone a liar or incompetent fool

If you are unhappy with the priority your street is assigned calling VDOT immediately after snowfall or while Virginia is in a state of emergency is not the best way to fix your problem. Wait until the snow has passed and then contact your local government, District Supervisor, State Delegate on Virginia Congressman.

Frequently Asked Questions: Snow Removal and Snow Driving. Virginia Department of Transportation