When to Call VDOT for Snow Removal

When roads get icy VDOT's phone begins to ring and the switchboard bogs down. There are certainly times to call VDOT but many of the calls they receive are the equivalent of people informing that it just snowed.

There are times that it feels like the Department of Transportation is clueless and occasionally they may be but help yourself and let them focus on getting the roads cleared. If you are wondering why your road is still snowy talk to your neighbors or contact your homeowners association and try to have one person call VDOT as a representative.

There are nine VDOT districts in the State of Virginia. You can find contact information for your district at the Virginia Department of Transportation website. Additionally, Virginia has a 5-1-1 hotline that gives road condition information around the state.

There is no need to request snow removal and there is not a list that you need to get on for snow removal. Every road is part of a comprehensive plan that oversees the snow removal of every street and road in Virginia.

You will get a better response by having a single person call for a neighborhood or street and if the problem isn't taken care of another person can make the second call after a reasonable amount of time has passed. Multiple residents calling about the same street at the same time will not get a faster VDOT response.

Call if the snow ended 24 hours ago and your road has not been cleared the first time.

There are mistakes and sometimes roads do get missed. The second day after a snow is a reasonable time to contact VDOT and ask what's up if you are wondering why your road hasn't been cleared yet.

Call if school is back in session and your street doesn't have at least one passable lane.

Notice that the key word here is passable and not cleared. VDOT has to make everyone passable before they get non primary roads completely cleared. School districts make the decision to close school based on inside information from VDOT. The best estimate of the earliest roads should be cleared is when kids go back to school

Call if several cars are getting stuck.

Sometimes there is an unusual incline or road condition that VDOT needs to prioritize and they don't realize it. This is especially true in newer subdivisions or roads that have been opened or changed since the last big snow.

Call Law Enforcement if you have a traffic or safety concern. If cars are going into ditches and you are worried about accidents and safety call your local Sherriff! VDOT coordinates the plows and is trying to get everything done but there is a lot that law enforcement can do and a police officer or deputy calling to dispatch VDOT or filing a report may do more to solve your problem!

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