I95 Richmond to the Beltway people suck in cars for 17 plus hours

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect a swift fix to a major snowstorm from a state that, at this point, rarely gets major snowstorms. And people should have stayed off the roads.

But I do feel very bad for these people. What can they do? Can they call in the national guard or something?

But at this point it isn't snow that's blocking things, right? They just need to clear the traffic accidents? I understand VA being less effective at plowing and treating roads, but why is it taking so long to clear the downed vehicles in the roadway? That makes no sense to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So all the exits are closed too?

Seriously. Cars can't make their way (back, if need be) to the nearest exit?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So all the exits are closed too?

Seriously. Cars can't make their way (back, if need be) to the nearest exit?

I don't understand this either.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect a swift fix to a major snowstorm from a state that, at this point, rarely gets major snowstorms. And people should have stayed off the roads.

But I do feel very bad for these people. What can they do? Can they call in the national guard or something?

But at this point it isn't snow that's blocking things, right? They just need to clear the traffic accidents? I understand VA being less effective at plowing and treating roads, but why is it taking so long to clear the downed vehicles in the roadway? That makes no sense to me.

Well I’m just shooting from the hip here but I would guess that the state isn’t equipped for clearing that many accidents either since it’s not a common event either?

[Anonymous]

My guess? People were still traveling after the holidays

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess? People were still traveling after the holidays

Our friends were some of those who spent the night in the car. They were supposed to fly into Dulles from their tropical vacation but missed the connection, ended up flying into Richmond, rented a car to drive to MD home and got stuck in the mess. They were stuck for 7 hours then turned around and went to bed at a hotel at 7am.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My guess? People were still traveling after the holidays

Senator Tim Kaine is one of the people stranded overnight on 95.

WTOP just had him on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My guess? People were still traveling after the holidays

Our friends were some of those who spent the night in the car. They were supposed to fly into Dulles from their tropical vacation but missed the connection, ended up flying into Richmond, rented a car to drive to MD home and got stuck in the mess. They were stuck for 7 hours then turned around and went to bed at a hotel at 7am.

How did they turn around?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't understand why they didn't pre-treat 95/495.

I get that no one believed the snow would stick due to the warm temps, especially so much of it. But I drove on it Sunday night around 8pm, and there was no pre treatment on the highway whatsoever. Nada.

VDOT has stated that they couldn’t pre-treat the roads because this storm started as rain and everything would’ve washed away.

I don't believe that. There was never pouring rain. Temps fell fast, and it was light freezing rain and sleet before switching to snow. I don't think VDOT believed the weather forecasts like most of us. It was dry when I drove home Sunday night, and there was no pre treatment anywhere, so they didn't even try.

From planning to response, this is an epic failure by Governor Northam.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect a swift fix to a major snowstorm from a state that, at this point, rarely gets major snowstorms. And people should have stayed off the roads.

But I do feel very bad for these people. What can they do? Can they call in the national guard or something?

But at this point it isn't snow that's blocking things, right? They just need to clear the traffic accidents? I understand VA being less effective at plowing and treating roads, but why is it taking so long to clear the downed vehicles in the roadway? That makes no sense to me.

Well I’m just shooting from the hip here but I would guess that the state isn’t equipped for clearing that many accidents either since it’s not a common event either?

(Just to clarify my tone here, I have no clue what can or should be done.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect a swift fix to a major snowstorm from a state that, at this point, rarely gets major snowstorms. And people should have stayed off the roads.

But I do feel very bad for these people. What can they do? Can they call in the national guard or something?

But at this point it isn't snow that's blocking things, right? They just need to clear the traffic accidents? I understand VA being less effective at plowing and treating roads, but why is it taking so long to clear the downed vehicles in the roadway? That makes no sense to me.

There are multiple jackknifed tractor-trailers, which are difficult to clear in the best of conditions. Add in snow and ice and the fact that the traffic in front of the accident isn't moving (because of snow and ice and another accident), so there is way less room to maneuver. And the bad roads make it harder for the emergency vehicles to get through to assist.

[Anonymous]

How come the guardrails weren't cut and at least some people allowed to get on the Express Lanes? Given that the road was closed for HOURS, I'm thinking more could have been done.

[Anonymous]

Just saw this quote in the NYT:

"In some places, Ms. Parker said, four inches of ice froze underneath vehicles, creating an impassable surface or locking them into place."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just saw this quote in the NYT:

"In some places, Ms. Parker said, four inches of ice froze underneath vehicles, creating an impassable surface or locking them into place."

Omg!!!!

[Anonymous]

It’s just normal traffic for that section of 95. DC to Fredericksburg can take 3-4 hours.