CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – VDOT crews continue their around-the-clock operations on the area roads as “below-freezing temperatures persist”.

VDOT Culpeper’s Sharon Ketcham said, “Crews continue their work on secondary roads and neighborhood streets, but with the temperatures being where they are motorist should not expect bare pavement on many of these roads.”

“In areas where snow has compacted into ice, VDOT crews are using abrasives, such as sand, to improve traction for motorists,” according to the VDOT release.

“Abrasives do not melt ice; instead, they provide grip on the roadway while freezing temperatures remain.”

“The initial pass through a roadway is focused on opening the road and improving traction, and after that, crews continue making multiple passes with heavy equipment,” the release continued.

“These repeated passes help break up and peel back layers of ice over time, particularly on secondary roads and in residential areas.”

The main roads are mostly bare,but icy spots persist.

The VDOT advisement is to be especially carefully on bridges, mountain passes, and in shady areas where “icy areas and slick spots may persist”.

VDOT still urges not to travel unless necessary.

And Ketcham repeats what she said Tuesday.

They’re finding in their road clearing operations people shoveling snow and “throwing the snow back out into the roadway and that’s dangerous for other cars.”

For current conditions along each route, Ketcham said the public can log onto 511.vdot.virginia.gov. download the 511 Virginia app, or call 511 from any phone in Virginia.

Virginia residents can also ask any question or report a hazardous road condition to my.vdot.virginia.gov or call 800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623).