How would you rate VDOT's snow removal response?

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How would you rate VDOT's snow removal response?

Started 7 months ago by crogers

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crogers
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Posted 7 months ago #

Some places in Virginia saw over a foot of snow in this last winter storm. How would your rate VDOT's response where you live?
Brian
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Posted 7 months ago #

So, I'm a carpet bagger. I moved down south a few years ago in order to make a decent living. This has been the easiest place on earth to move to, to live in, but the one complaint that I have is snow removal.

The snow removal in Richmond, VA (and much of the south) is awful. Everything stops - no one knows what to do - and the process of removing snow is always delayed.

I saw a few trucks out clearing the highways on Saturday morning. Awesome. But why are there not more trucks on other roads? They need to be out in full force the moment it starts snowing, till the moment its cleared.

My assumption is that the budget is not there to make this happen.. so maybe next year it will be. According to CNN last night, we received our annual snow fall amount on Friday night, and they're talking about more this week/weekend!

Anyway, my one mile walk to work this morning was a joke. Most sidewalks are not cleared and are pretty icey. I had to climb huge mountains of snow on every street corner, and slosh through slush and mud while crossing every street. Pretty gross.
Morgan Porter
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Posted 7 months ago #

I agree with Brian. Snow removal (at least in Downtown Richmond) is sub-par at best. The snow stopped well over 24 hours ago and side streets haven't been touched. Even Broad Street still needs work. I understand the budget probably isn't there though.

Luckily, I don't have to drive to work, but for those who do, driving to or through the downtown area has to be a headache.
heywren
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Posted 7 months ago #

Richmond's snow removal always sucks. We don't have a lot of resources here for thatl, and what we do have is dedicated to clearing I95/I64/I295/288/Powhite/Chippenham.

I'm really interested in how things went out on the western side of the state. Virginia just laid off another 900 VDOT workers this winter, which was the 2nd or 3rd round of layoffs to hit that agency. And our new governor pulled $2 million out of VDOTs maintenance fund to re-open the 19 state rest areas -- that's the fund reserved for things like snow removal.

Seems like a bad situation all the way around.
Capt. Havok
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Posted 7 months ago #

Every year the three TV stations tell us that VDOT says they're prepared. Lots of B-Roll of plows idling, people milling about with salt, etc. But then when the snow actually hits the ground, the roads are messy for days.

Now maybe it could be much worse, but it seems to be done better in other states.

@heywren: I agree. What good are the reopened rest stops if nobody can get to them because of the snow?
tpartymary
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Posted 6 months ago #

Snow removal has been terrible in our 170-home neighborhood in Fairfax County, by Tyson's Corner/Vienna. We've lost 6 standard work days so far this winter due to snow, more for stores (weekends). Since Fairfax County is such a big tax generator for the state, why isn't our legislature working with VDOT to keep us working as much as possible? Do they really want to see less tax revenue?

I have two recommendations to be more timely and cost effective on snow removal.
1) Contract with local county and town landscaping and construction companies around the state to plow the smaller streets and neighborhoods. Keep the state-owned big trucks for main roads. Begin main road plowing when the snow starts falling, not after it ends. Local contractors are usually 3-season workers with trucks that can affix a plow blade for temporary work doing snow removal. This would give some extra work to people who need it in their off season, save the state from buying more plows, and get the local streets plowed faster. I see it as a win/win/win for state, workers, and citizens.
2) If #1 is not possible, then I would like to see Fairfax County "opt out" of VDOT for snow removal. Reduce citizens state taxes by whatever portion the state normally uses for snow removal. Let Fairfax County adjust local county taxes to fund local snow removal. I would recommend that they follow recommendation #1 above as well.
Below is the terrible record of snow removal for our 170-home neighborhood in the Tysons Corner area, just over the Vienna town border, in Fairfax County. The town of Vienna has a higher tax, and handles their own snow removal.
1) Saturday in December snowstorm 12". Plowed the following Tuesday afternoon. (after calls to VDOT who said they would move us up a day, was scheduled for Wed).
2) Friday 5th snow - 22" (predicted for days). Plowed Thursday night 1am. Started calling Chap Peterson our State Senator on Monday, he promised to send emails to VDOT to try and up the priority the list of streets we gave him.

Please see excerpt below from Chap Peterson's email newsletter. As much as we appreciate his efforts on behalf of NoVA, and the kindness of Senator Watkins' son, is begging for help from colleagues really a sustainable approach? Here is an excerpt from his email newsletter: "....On a side note, I spoke Monday on the Senate floor about the need for Virginians from around the state to bring resources to NoVA for snow removal. Here's a quick summary. Today my Senate colleague John Watkins (R-Powhatan) informed me that he had "taken my words to heart" and convinced his son to bring 18 trucks and plows from their family business up north. Those trucks are now working for VDOT in Fairfax County to clear our roads. Thank you to Senator Watkins..."

May God bless our VA state leaders, and give them wisdom and fortitude to deal with the many challenges ahead!
tpartymary
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Posted 6 months ago #

On that Friday 5th snow of 22", I forgot to add the additional 8-10" that fell on Wednesday.
And in each of these snows, the neighboring town of Vienna was plowed out days before we were. They do have higher taxes, and they hire their own snow removal.
edharrington
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Posted 6 months ago #

I just looked out the window today (Feb 16th) and all the snow is gone. Great Job!
mmack207
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Posted 6 months ago #

Well my problem with snow removal in the Valley is that we as tax payers are paying a company named ICA to set in trucks in the middle of I-81 for hours until it starts snowing and then in the middle of the night when it is actually snowing all of the trucks disappear. The result another back log on I-81. The only rescue to the problem were the operators that were told that VDOT no longer needed their services two years ago. I think that it is time to quit paying our tax dollars to a company in Tennesse and rehire the people form here that really understand what snow removal in the Valley is all about.
eveinstetson
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Posted 6 months ago #

not bad