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Nelson : Beech Grove : Serious Car Crash Leaves Two Severely Injured

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Beech Grove / Route 664
Nelson County, Virginia

As of 8:45 AM Wednesday morning. Two people are in critical condition with life threatening injuries at UVA Medical Center after a Tuesday night crash in Beech Grove.

“Our dispatch center received a call Tuesday evening at 7:51 PM about a severe crash in Beech Grove on Route 664. Our first deputy was there on the scene just after 8PM. Virginia State Police was also called. The patients were transported to UVA via ambulance,” Nelson County Sheriff Mark Embrey told us Wednesday morning.

Wintergreen Fire & Rescue Chief Curtis Sheets said Wintergreen Police units were on the scene within a few minutes at 7:57 PM and the first fire-rescue unit was there at 8:07 PM. “We had a horrible amount of fog coming down off the mountain that critically limited our visibility. Our other station responded from Stoney Creek as well. They were joined by a Nelson deputy a few minutes later.”

After reaching out to our contact at Virginia State Police Headquarters in Richmond we got a bit more addition information.

“At 8:00 p.m., Virginia State Police responded to a single-vehicle crash in Nelson County. A vehicle traveling in the 3100 block of Beech Grove Rd. ran off the road and struck a tree. The driver and passenger were both transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment of serious injuries. The crash remains under investigation.

Corinne Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police”

We will update this story with additional information as it’s released.

Weather Bulletin : High Wind Watch / Wind Advisory (Updated See Latest Post)

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This post has been updated here : https://blueridgelife.com/2024/02/28/weather-bulletin-wind-advisory-late-wednesday-into-thursday-morning/

HIGH WIND WATCH
URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
1122 AM EST Tue Feb 27 2024

Western Highland-Eastern Highland-Northern Virginia Blue Ridge
Western Grant-Eastern Grant-Western Mineral-Western Pendleton-
Eastern Pendleton-
Including the cities of Hightown, Monterey, Big Meadows, Bayard,
Mount Storm, Petersburg, Elk Garden, Riverton, Brandywine,
Franklin, Oak Flat, Ruddle, and Sugar Grove
1122 AM EST Tue Feb 27 2024

…HIGH WIND WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
LATE WEDNESDAY NIGHT…

* WHAT…West winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph
possible.

* WHERE…In Virginia, Western Highland and Eastern Highland
Counties, and Northern Virginia Blue Ridge. In West Virginia,
Western Grant, Eastern Grant, Western Mineral, Western
Pendleton and Eastern Pendleton Counties.

* WHEN…From Wednesday afternoon through late Wednesday night.

* IMPACTS…Damaging winds could blow down trees and power
lines. Widespread power outages are possible. Travel could be
difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…The strongest winds will likely be across
the higher ridges, but strong winds could downslope into valley
locales as well.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation. Fasten loose objects or shelter objects in a safe
location prior to the onset of winds.

URGENT – WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Blacksburg VA
202 PM EST Tue Feb 27 2024

Ashe-Alleghany NC-Surry-Watauga-Wilkes-Grayson-Carroll-Floyd-
Roanoke-Botetourt-Rockbridge-Patrick-Franklin-Bedford-Amherst
Western Greenbrier-
Including the cities of Rocky Mount, West Jefferson, Bedford,
Floyd, Lexington, Fincastle, Salem, Whitetop, Dobson, Amherst,
Buena Vista, Stuart, Duo, Quinwood, Independence, Wilkesboro,
Volney, Troutdale, Galax, Boone, Roanoke, Rainelle, and Sparta
202 PM EST Tue Feb 27 2024

…WIND ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 PM WEDNESDAY TO 1 AM EST
THURSDAY…

* WHAT…West winds 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.

* WHERE…Portions of the northwest North Carolina mountains and
foothills, southwest Virginia along the Blue Ridge, including the
Blue Ridge Parkway, and western Greenbrier County in southeast
West Virginia.

* WHEN…From 1 PM Wednesday to 1 AM EST Thursday.

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

Snow On The Mountain Causes Many Travel Problems : 6:56 PM Roads Open

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Wintergreen/Blue Ridge Parkway
Nelson County, Virginia

Some snow flurries and snow squalls were expected Saturday afternoon in the higher elevations. But, the accumulating snow experienced up at Wintergreen was a bit of a surprise.

A snow emergency message was sent out by fire and police agencies around 5:30 PM Saturday.
“We are currently experiencing extremely hazardous road conditions on the mountain. Several car accidents are in progress. Wintergreen Drive has been closed at the Police Department. Please do not travel within Wintergreen or attempt to return to Wintergreen until this situation is resolved.”

At 6:56 PM an all roads open message was sent out.
“All roads are now open. Thank you for your patience.”

At one point traffic was stopped and backed up from the gatehouse below all the way out to Beech Grove Road. Numerous wrecks with cars in ditches were reported at several locations on the mountain.

Traffic up and down the mountain was stopped for a period of time, and as of 6:20 PM some of the roadways are still closed as plows clear the snow to get roads open.

Reports of some travel problems on I-64 on Afton Mountain were also reported.

We will update this more as we receive additional information.

So Long Charlie Brown (Chuck & Lee Brown Of Nellysford Pass)

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Nellysford
Nelson County, Virginia

A friend of mine from my high school days now lives in Florida. Joe jokes with me often how his late father would call him daily from his home state of Tennessee and give him the daily obituary report from the local paper. Now we joke with each other that we are sort of doing the same. I say this, not to make fun of the piece I am writing to you today, but I know the two people I am writing about here would laugh as well. It seems as though I have been doing this a lot lately. If you read our site very much you know that I have penned a lot of stories about those leaving us recently.

I was talking to my friend and dentist Jim Rice last night on the phone. In the course of the conversation her said, “that was sad about Chuck and Lee Brown, you know we live very close to them here in Stoney Creek.” I said, “what happened?” He told me they had both passed away within a few days of each other.

I knew I hadn’t seen Chuck out lately in his small blue car with the fake hands of a body hanging out of the back, his license plate read ISpy. Chuck, and Lee were sort of spies, they both worked for the FBI back in the day. Chuck worked for other secret agencies before that, but well, it’s a secret. They laughingly got the nickname Charlie Brown because of their very names!

Photo By Tommy Stafford : In this September 2008 photo Chuck works on one of his stained glass projects at his shop in Nellysford.

Here’s a little more about Chuck from his official bio we included in a story on him over a decade ago.

“He was raised as an ‘army brat’ and as a dependent lived in numerous states and Europe where his father was assigned. His father graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point and when it came time for Chuck to choose to play basketball for the University of Kentucky or accept an appointment to West Point, he chose basketball. While attending the U of K Chuck played basketball and joined the Kappa Alpha fraternity. His average score as a ‘point guard’ for the team was 24 points a game. His couch was proud of him. His average score in the classroom was 24 points a test. His parents were not proud of him. His fraternity brothers at Kappa Alpha didn’t know the difference between basketball and mathematics and that explained why the fraternity was always on ‘social probation’ and remains to this day on probation as confirmed by a recent visit. His best friends were his fraternity brothers and states, “ but I can’t remember their names and that explains why I probably averaged 24 points a test score.”

Chuck’s parents asked him what he was going to do now as a result of leaving college. He said, “I’m going to join the Federal Bureau of Investigation”. And he did after an extensive background investigation. The FBI put Chuck through the ‘ringer’ requiring him to work many different shift schedules; however, in return, the FBI also put Chuck through Fordham University. After earning his college degree, Chuck earned the privilege of meeting all the requirements for Special Agent training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. Chuck continued his career with the Bureau for a number of years including voluntary time serving as an officer in the U.S. Army Special Forces during the period leading up to and including the invasion of the Bay of Pigs. Chuck is proud to have donned a Green Beret. “De Oppresso Libre.”

Chuck next to his airplane he often flew back in the day.

I first met Chuck back in the days when he drove a classic 1980s Mercedes Benz 4 door diesel with a license plate saying Fordham60. That car was a beast! My wife is a Fordham grad, so when we ran into Chuck and Lee at the monthly RVCC pancake breakfast, we eventually made the connection to the car. He and Yvette went through endless memories of how Fordham had changed over time. We we became friends then and there for the next 20 years or so. Both Chuck and Lee were pilots, so am I, so those conversations went on forever too!

There’s Chuck back in 2008 showcasing a book he’d just written about the prison system. Click above to see more about that story.

A little known fact, Chuck provided background security here in Nelson during that same year in 2008 for members of Synchronicity on Adail Road. Some of their members had been murdered in a bombing at a hotel in India during a conference. International press descended on Nellysford for days. Chuck was quietly in the background managing the security around the event and using his prior skills in the FBI to help assist international law enforcement in tracking down those responsible. Here’s where we broke that particular story as it happened.

Chuck, Lee and I would often meet up for lunch at Basic Necessities in Nellysford or then Stoney Creek Bar & Grill (now Iron & Ale) and later Margaratas in Nellysford. Lee had multiple sclerosis and as the years ticked by you could see the major decline in her heath. I’d see Chuck in his, and her, final years daily picking up food somewhere to take back to Lee at home. We’d chat in a parking lot somewhere and briefly catchup, but I knew time was running out for both. Chuck was dedicated to the very end. In his mid and late 80s he was out in all kinds of weather making sure Lee had her favorites. Within the last 2-3 years she went downhill quickly and was more or less confined to her home.

Just one of the countless, and striking, stained glass pieces Chuck created over the years.

Once Margaratis closed in October of 2023, I rarely saw Chuck out anymore. And I did notice I began seeing less and less of him on the road. It’s why I was saddened and shocked once Jim Rice told me about their deaths Tuesday night. Neither of us knew about their memorials held in mid February.

I will miss Chuck and Lee both. We had so many great conversations over the years. Their passing is a continual change we are seeing, especially in Stoney Creek as longtime residents there age out.

Chuck, you both have a great view now. Rest easy, you did well and had a very good run.

Here’s more on them in their obits here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/newsvirginian/name/charles-brown-obituary?id=54320074

 

 

Nelson : Newest Verizon 5G Cell Site Goes Online In Roseland

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Roseland
Nelson County. Virginia

After a couple of years of waiting, the latest Verizon (VZW) cell site went online in Roseland. The signal appeared Tuesday – February 20, 2024.

Screenshot of Speedtest App done on the new Roseland 5G Verizon Wireless site. A 357 mbps download out in the sticks isn’t anything to sneeze at! Tuesday – February 20, 2024

Below a post where I mentioned the Pinery River 5G cell site had just gone online a few days before the one live now in Roseland.

Though there’s still plenty of gaps along 151 in the southern end of Nelson, this does help eliminate many of the dead zones.

Another VZW tower in Schuyler has been in the process of getting activated over the past several days as well!

VDOT : Scheduled Construction & Maintenance Work

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LYNCHBURG DISTRICT

TRAFFIC ALERT

February 1925, 2024

LYNCHBURG, Va. – Highway work requiring road/lane/structure closures is planned;

however, work may be delayed/canceled due to weather or other issues. Items in

italics contain new/updated information. For up-to-date information, call 511 or visit

www.511Virginia.org.

District-wide activities:

Crews will perform various activities throughout the district to include, but are not limited

to bridge & guardrail maintenance, brush/tree/limb cutting, pothole/surface/shoulder work,

surface treatment/paving operations, work orders, mowing, boom axing, drainage repairs/

work and roadside cleanup.

Work at specific locations:

Amherst County:

Route 29 & Route 151 (Patrick Henry Hwy.) – Construction of a Restricted Crossing U-

Turn, storm drainage, advanced warning flashers, traffic lighting. Work to begin on

March 1. Use caution and watch for changes in the traffic pattern during construction.

Estimated completion November 2024.

Please note district-wide activities above.

Appomattox County:

Route 131 (Old Courthouse Rd.) from Route 460 BUS (Confederate Blvd.) to Route 460

Bypass (Richmond Highway) – Route 131 Reconstruction. Traffic shift was put in place

on Wednesday, December 13, 2023. Lane closures expected. Use caution. Estimated

completion January, 2025.

Please note district-wide activities above.

Bedford County:

Please note district-wide activities above.

Buckingham County:

Please note district-wide activities above.Charlotte County:

Route 15 (Farmville Highway) at Route 15/360 BUS (Four Locust Highway) – Roundabout

project. Change in traffic pattern now in place allowing two-way movement along Route

15/360 BUS (Four Locust Highway) and a stop condition for Rte. 15 (Farmville Highway)

southbound traffic. The on-ramps from Route 15 to the Route 15/360 (Kings Highway) and

the off-ramp from Route 15/360 (Kings Highway) to Route 15 are closed to traffic.

Message boards and detour signage will alert motorists to the change and direct traffic

along the detour. Estimated overall project completion October 2024.

Route 701 (Thorntons Mill Road) – Debris removal. Route 701 (Thorntons Mill Road) is

closed from Route 691 (Tower Road) to Route 615 (Rolling Hill Road) due to debris

removal. A detour with signs is in place. Estimated completion March 22, 2024.

Please note district-wide activities above.

Cumberland County:

Route 45 (Cartersville Rd.) at Route 690 (Columbia Rd.) – Roundabout Project. Shoulder

and lane closures expected. Use caution. Estimated completion November 2024.

Please note district-wide activities above.

Halifax County:

Route 501 (L P Bailey Memorial Highway) at Route 628 (Chestnut Road) – Intersection

improvement project. Shoulder and lane closures began on February 5th. Use caution.

Estimated completion December 2024.

Route 610 (Crystal Hill Rd.) – Bridge Replacement. Route 610 (Crystal Hill Road) is closed

to through traffic from Route 641 (Lower Liberty Rd.) to Route 626 (Howard P. Anderson

Road). Estimated completion March 29, 2024.

Please note district-wide activities above.

Lynchburg:

Please note district-wide activities above.

Nelson County:

Route 29, between Route 6 (River Rd.) and Route 718 (Mountain Cove Rd.) – Shoulder

widening, rumble strip installation, guardrail installation. Work to begin March 4 and cause

alternating lane closures. Estimated completion January 2025.

Route 674 (Jenny’s Creek Rd.) – Emergency road repairs. Motorists should expect delays

on Route 674 (Jenny’s Creek Rd.) in Nelson County due to emergency road repairs. A

culvert underneath the roadway has collapsed. Expected completion March 6, 2024. A

detour is in place, utilizing Route 56 (Tye Brook Hwy.) and Route 151.

Route 60 over James River – Bridge deck replacement. Lane closures and changes in

traffic patterns in effect. Traffic is utilizing the other side of the bridge to cross. Est. comp.

end of July 2024.

Please note district-wide activities above.

Pittsylvania County:

Please note district-wide activities above.Prince Edward County:

Route 665 (Worsham Road) – Bridge Replacement. Route 665 (Worsham Road) will be closed

to through traffic from Route 15 (Farmville Road) to the intersection of Route 630 (Redd Shop

Road) from 1/29/2024 – 5/31/2024. A detour with signs will be in effect, using Route 15 to

Route 628 (Granite Falls Blvd.) to Route 630 (Oak Ridge Road) back to Route 665.

Please note district-wide activities above.

STAUNTON DISTRICT TRAFFIC ALERT

FOR FEBRUARY 19 – 23, 2024

Highway Work Zones in the VDOT Staunton District

STAUNTON – The following is a list of highway work that may affect traffic in the Staunton transportation district during the coming weeks. The Staunton District consists of 11 counties from the Alleghany Highlands to the northern Shenandoah Valley: Alleghany, Bath, Rockbridge, Highland, Augusta, Rockingham, Page, Shenandoah, Frederick, Clarke and Warren.

Scheduled work is subject to change due to inclement weather and material supplies. Motorists are advised to watch for slow-moving tractors during mowing operations. When traveling through a work zone, be alert to periodic changes in traffic patterns and lane closures.

*NEW* or *UPDATE* indicates a new or revised entry since last week’s report.

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

INTERSTATE 64

Mile marker 1 to 41, eastbound and westbound – Alternating lane closures for guardrail improvements, 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays through April 1.

Mile marker 29 to 30, eastbound – Alternating lane closures for repairs to bridge over Route 42, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 1.

PRIMARY ROADS

*NEW* Route 220 (Route 220 Highway/Market Avenue) – Flagger traffic control between Route 1706 (Commerce Avenue) and Business Route 60 (Grafton Street) on-ramp for inspection of bridges over Buckingham Branch Railway, CSX Railway and Jackson River, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for tree and debris removal, drainage work, pothole patching, brush cutting, ditching and shoulder repairs, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

SECONDARY ROADS

*NEW* Route 619 (Hayes Gap Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 616 (Rich Patch Road) and Route 657 (Pitzer Ridge Road) for brush removal, 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for ditch work, pipe replacement and brush cutting, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

BATH COUNTY

PRIMARY ROADS

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for shoulder repairs and pipe cleaning, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

SECONDARY ROADS

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for brush cutting and pipe cleaning, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY

INTERSTATE 64

*UPDATE* Mile marker 50 to 55, eastbound – Right shoulder closures for brush removal, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

INTERSTATE 81

*UPDATE* Mile marker 188 to 180, southbound – Right shoulder closures for debris pickup, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

PRIMARY ROADS

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for pipe replacement, ditch work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting. Mobile lane closures for mowing, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

SECONDARY ROADS

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for grading, pipe replacement, ditch work, tree removal, pavement patching, shoulder repairs and brush cutting. Mobile lane closures for mowing, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

HIGHLAND COUNTY

PRIMARY ROADS

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for pothole patching, brush cutting and shoulder repairs, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

SECONDARY ROADS

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for brush cutting, pipe cleaning, tree removal, adding stone to unpaved roads and ditch work, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

AUGUSTA COUNTY

INTERSTATE 64

No lane closures reported.

INTERSTATE 81

*NEW* Mile marker 212 to 214, northbound – Overnight alternating lane closures for maintenance to bridge over Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway), 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Wednesday night.

*UPDATE* Mile marker 221 to 227, northbound and southbound – Overnight southbound left lane closures for moving equipment, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Monday through Friday nights. Daytime shoulder closures for tree removal and maintenance operations, 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. February 19 – March 14. Work is related to I-81 widening project.

*NEW* Mile marker 236 to 235, southbound – Left shoulder closures for tree removal operations in the median, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

PRIMARY ROADS

*NEW* Route 11 (Lee Highway) – Northbound right lane closures between Route 940 (Dick Huff Lane) and Staunton city limits for sidewalk installation, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through May 24.

Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) – Eastbound and westbound left shoulder closures due to widening project in the area of the Route 252 (Middlebrook Avenue) interchange, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. through April 30.

Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) – Flagger traffic control near Rockingham line for maintenance to bridge over South River, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday.

SECONDARY ROADS

Route 624 (South Delphine Avenue, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between South Oak Lane and Chinquapin Drive for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through May 30, 2025.

Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) – Closed between I-81 frontage roads (FR-217 and FR-218) for bridge replacement as part of I-81 southbound auxiliary lane project. Follow posted detour. Expected completion summer 2025.

*NEW* Route 640 (Old White Bridge Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) and Route 254 (Hermitage Road) for inspection of bridge over CSX Railway, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Route 664 (Mount Torrey Road) – Shoulder closures and occasional flagger traffic control between Route 624 (Lyndhurst Road) and Route 894 (Mount Torrey Road) for water line installation, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through March 29. Estimated completion summer 2024.

Route 664 (Lyndhurst Road, Waynesboro) – Shoulder closures between Miami Avenue and Purdue Street for work related to construction of Waynesboro Southern Corridor, through June 30, 2025.

*NEW* Route 675 (Broadhead School Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) and Route 604 (McClures Mill Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. February 19 – February 29.

*NEW* Route 778 (Knightly Mill Road) – Middle River bridge closed beginning Wednesday, February 28. Traffic can use nearby Route 774 (Cline River Road) bridge.

*NEW* Route 795 (Entry School Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 608 (Long Meadow Road) and Route 640 (Old White Bridge Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. February 19 – February 29.

*NEW* Route 796 (Kiddsville Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 797 (Miller Road) and Route 608 (Long Meadow Road) for utility work, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. February 19 – February 29.

Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for drainage work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY

INTERSTATE 81

Mile marker 242 to 248, northbound and southbound – Overnight alternating lane closures, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through December 2026. Overnight slow-roll traffic control as needed from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Expect delays. During slow-roll operations, temporary on-ramp closures possible at exits 243, 245 and 247. Traffic restrictions are related to Route 33 bridge and interchange project.

*NEW* Mile marker 246 to 248, northbound – Right shoulder closures for sign work, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

PRIMARY ROADS

Route 33 (Rawley Pike) – Flagger and pilot-truck traffic control between Dry Run Road and Switzer Lake Road for road widening project, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. through April 5.

Route 33 (East Market Street, Harrisonburg) – 24/7 shoulder closures and traffic lane shifts between Vine Street/Hawkins Street and University Boulevard for bridge and roadway work. Single lane closures as needed. Work zone speed limit 25 miles an hour with automated speed enforcement. Traffic restrictions are for Route 33 bridge replacements and interchange improvement with expected project completion in fall of 2026.

Route 33 (Spotswood Trail) – Eastbound and westbound alternating lane closures near Elkton town limits for maintenance to bridges over Route 340, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 1.

Route 253 (Port Republic Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 605 (Main Street, Port Republic) and Route 1601 (New Haven Road) for maintenance to bridge over North River, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 1.

Route 256 (Third Street, Grottoes) – Flagger traffic control near Augusta County line for maintenance to bridge over South River, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday.

Route 340 (East Side Highway) – Northbound and southbound alternating lane closures near Elkton southern town limits for maintenance to Route 33 overpass bridges, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 1.

Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for pipe replacement, ditch work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

SECONDARY ROADS

No lane closures reported.

PAGE COUNTY

PRIMARY ROADS

Various roads – Mobile traffic control for mowing operations. Flagger traffic control for pipe replacement, ditch work, tree removal, shoulder repairs, pavement patching and brush cutting, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

SECONDARY ROADS

Various roads – Flagger traffic control for brush cutting and pipe cleaning, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

SHENANDOAH COUNTY

INTERSTATE 81

*NEW* Mile marker 296, southbound – Right shoulder closures for brush removal operations, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

*NEW* Mile marker 296 to 299, northbound – Right shoulder closures for utility work, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

PRIMARY ROADS

No lane closures reported.

SECONDARY ROADS

Route 620 (Smith Creek Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 826 (Woods Chapel Road) and Route 732 (Cardinal Road) for bridge work over tributary to Smith Creek, 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 3.

Route 625 (Harman Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 642 (Swartz Road) and Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) for maintenance to I-81 overpass bridge, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday.

FREDERICK COUNTY

INTERSTATE 81

Mile marker 300 to 301, northbound and southbound – Overnight lane closures and traffic-lane shifts as needed, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through March 2024. Shoulder closures 24/7. Work zone speed limit 55 miles an hour. Work is related to southbound acceleration ramp extension and bridge widening with estimated completion in fall 2024.

PRIMARY ROADS

*NEW* Route 11 (Valley Pike) – Northbound right shoulder closures between Route 1129 (Prosperity Drive) and Route 872 (Hood Way) for signal installations, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

*NEW* Route 11 (Martinsburg Pike) – Southbound right shoulder closures between I-81 interchange and Crown Lane for signal installations, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

*UPDATE* Route 37 – Southbound right shoulder closures between the ramp from Route 622 (Cedar Creek Grade) and Route 642 (Tasker Road) for brush removal, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.

SECONDARY ROADS

Route 600 (North Hayfield Road)– No lane closures, but utility work happening in right of way between Route 50 (Northwestern Pike) and Route 684 (Gainesboro Road), 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through February 29.

*NEW* Route 661 (Redbud Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 662 (Milburn Road) and Route 660 (Woods Mill Road) for road maintenance, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. February 19 – December 31.

*NEW* Route 662 (Milburn Road) – Flagger traffic control between Route 661 (Redbud Road) and Route 761 (Old Charles Town Road) for road maintenance, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. February 19 – December 31.

CLARKE COUNTY

PRIMARY ROADS

No lane closures reported.

SECONDARY ROADS

No lane closures reported.

WARREN COUNTY

INTERSTATE 66

No lane closures reported.

INTERSTATE 81

*NEW* Mile marker 299 to 300, northbound – Right shoulder closures for utility work, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Mile marker 299 to 300, northbound and southbound – Overnight lane closures and traffic-lane shifts as needed, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through March 2024. Shoulder closures 24/7. Work zone speed limit 55 miles an hour. Work is related to southbound acceleration ramp extension and bridge widening with estimated completion in fall 2024.

PRIMARY ROADS

No lane closures reported.

SECONDARY ROADS

No lane closures reported.

Vegetation management may take place district wide on various routes. VDOT reminds motorists to use extreme caution when traveling through work zones.

For updated traffic alerts and traveler information, dial 511 or visit 511virginia.org.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist with reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or getting information related to Virginia’s roads. Call 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623) or use its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov. Agents are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X (Twitter). Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, X (Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn and Flickr. The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.gov.

 

SCHEDULED CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE WORK

CULPEPER DISTRICT: Feb. 19-23, 2024

CULPEPER — The following highway work is scheduled, weather permitting, in the Culpeper District during the next week. Traffic movements may be restricted and speed limits reduced in work zones. (NEW) or(UPDATE) indicate revisions since last week’s report.

Culpeper District traffic information is also available on Twitter at @VaDOTCulp and on VDOT’s website at http://www.virginiadot.org/travel/travel_alerts/culpeper/default.asp.

Albemarle County 

(NEW) Other roadside – Expect mobile work zone with right shoulder closures in the following areas:

  • Interstate 64, between mile marker 123 and mile marker 125 in the westbound lanes, Monday, 9 a.m. to noon.
  • Interstate 64, between mile marker 118 and mile marker 119 in the westbound lanes, Monday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New Roadway Construction – Construction of a roundabout at Route 743 (Hydraulic Road) and Hillsdale Drive. Expect lane and shoulder closures with flaggers in the following areas nightly, Monday through Thursday, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., 10 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday, 9 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday, through May 5.

  • Route 743 (Hydraulic Road), between U.S. 29 (Emmet Street North) and Brandywine Drive, nightly in the northbound and southbound lanes.
  • Route 743 (Hydraulic Road), between U.S. 29 (Emmet Street North) and Cedar Hill Road in the northbound and southbound lanes.

Tree removal – Expect alternating lane closures with flaggers, daily, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the following areas:

  • Route 20 (Scottsville Road), between Route 53 (Thomas Jefferson Parkway) and Route 726 (James River Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes.
  • Route 53 (Thomas Jefferson Parkway), between Route 729 (Buck Island Road) and Route 732 (Milton Road) in the eastbound and westbound lanes.

Utility work under VDOT permit – Expect lane and shoulder closures in the following areas:

  • U.S. 29 (Monacan Trail), intermittent slow roll closures with flaggers between Route 692 (Plank Road) and Route 708 (Red Hill Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • U.S. 29 (Monacan Trail), intermittent slow roll closures with flaggers between Route 633 (Cove Garden Road) and Route 760 (Red Hill School Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(NEW) Interstate 64 – Pothole patching. Expect mobile, alternating lane closures between mile marker 100 and mile marker 131 in the eastbound and westbound lanes Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

(NEW) U.S. 29 (29 Bypass Expressway) – Equipment installation. Expect slow roll operation between U.S. 29 Business (Fontaine Avenue Extended) and the ramp from U.S. 29/U.S. 250 in the northbound and southbound lanes, from 10 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

U.S. 250 (Rockfish Gap Turnpike) – Road widening project. Expect lane closures between Birdsall Lane and Route 750 (Old Turnpike Road). The westbound lanes will remain reduced from two lanes to one and the eastbound lane shift will remain in place. This is a long-term closure for the duration of the project. Expected completion date, April 2024.

Route 20 (Scottsville Road) – Bridge superstructure repairs/replacement. Expect temporary traffic signal with new traffic pattern at Route 708 (Red Hill Road). Route 708 is narrowed to one lane for construction on the bridge over the North Fork Hardware River in the southbound lanes. Project completion date, Dec. 2024.

(NEW) Route 6 (Irish Road) – Shoulder repairs. Expect mobile, alternating lane closures between Route 627 (Porters Road) and Route 715 (Chestnut Grove Road) in the eastbound and westbound lanes, Tuesday, 8 a.m. to noon.

(UPDATE) Route 20 (Stony Point Road) – Tree trimming. Expect mobile, alternating lane closures between Route 1421 (Elk Drive) and the Orange County line in the northbound and southbound lanes, Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Route 641 (Frays Mill Road) – Other bridge work. Road closed at Route 743 (Advance Mills Road) for replacement of bridge over Marsh Run. Drivers on U.S. 29 (Seminole Trail) who need to access Route 743 north and west of the closure should use Route 607 (Cedar Grove Road). Expected completion date, Dec. 5, 2024.

(NEW) Utility work under VDOT permit – Expect lane closures with directional signs at the following roundabouts, daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

  • Route 1403 (Berkmar Drive) at Towncenter Drive.
  • Route 1403 (Meeting Street) at Timberwood Boulevard.

City of Charlottesville

(NEW) U.S. 250 (Bypass Expressway) – Roadway improvements. Expect lane and shoulder closures with flaggers between U.S. 29 (Emmet Street North) and Route 3412 (Dairy Road) in the eastbound and westbound lanes nightly, Monday through Thursday, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., 10 p.m. Friday to 9 a.m. Saturday, 9 p.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday, 8 p.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday, nightly through April 19.

Culpeper County

(NEW) Utility work under VDOT permit – Expect lane and shoulder closures in the following areas:

  • U.S. 29 (James Madison Highway North) mobile work zone with rolling stops at Route 651 (Freemans Ford Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10 a.m. to noon.
  • Route 669 (Carrico Mills Road), occasional shoulder and lane closures between Route 3 (Germanna Highway) and Route 672 (Stones Mill Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Route 672 (Stones Mill Road), alternating lane closures between Route 669 (Carrico Mills Road) and Route 724 (Youngs Lane) in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(NEW) U.S. 522 (Sperryvile Pike) – Other construction. Expect alternating lane closures between North Blue Ridge Avenue and Virginia Avenue in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(UPDATE) Route 229 (Rixeyville Road) – Road widening project. Expect alternating lane closures between U.S. 211 (Lee Highway) and Route 694 (Ira Hoffman Lane) in the northbound and southbound lanes, daily, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Fauquier County

(UPDATE) Utility work under VDOT permit – Expect lane and shoulder closures in the following: areas:

  • Route 55 (John Marshall Highway), mobile alternating lane closures between Route 622 (Whiting Road) and Route 709 (Belvoir Road) in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Route 651 (Freemans Ford Road), mobile, alternating lane closures between Route 658 (Cemetery Road) and Route 769 (Beales Branch Lane) in the northbound and southbound lanes, Monday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Route 676 (Riley Road), alternating lane closures between Brookside Parkway and Route 605 (Dumfries Road) in the southbound lanes, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
  • Route 690 (Bear Wallow Road), alternating lane closures between Filly Lane and the Warrenton Town line in the northbound and southbound lanes, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(NEW) Interstate 66 – Brush removal. Expect both shoulders closed between mile marker 16 and mile marker 34 in the eastbound and westbound lanes, Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

(NEW) U.S. 15 (Eastern Bypass North) – Bridge inspection. Expect alternating lane closures at the Warrenton Town line in the northbound and southbound lanes, Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(NEW) Route 672 (Blackwell Road) – Pipe repairs/installation. Road closed between Route 1460 (Ivy Hill Drive) and Route 605 (Arlie Road) in the southbound lanes, daily, starting Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through March 1.

Greene County

(UPDATE) Route 230 (Madison Road) – Road widening project. Expect alternating lane closures between Route 637 (Octonia Road) and the Madison County line in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily through Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Louisa County

Construction of new roundabout – Expect alternating lane closures daily, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the following areas. Project anticipated completion date, Jan. 31, 2025.

  • U.S. 522 (Zachary Taylor Highway) between Route 623 (Chopping Road) 0.3 miles north of Route 208 (New Bridge Road) in the northbound and southbound lanes.
  • Route 208 (New Bridge Road) between U.S. 522 (Zachary Taylor Highway) and Alma Gaynelle Drive in the eastbound and westbound lanes.

(NEW) Utility work under VDOT permit – Expect lane and shoulder closures in the following areas:

  • Route 652 (Kentucky Springs Road), right shoulder closure between Route 208 (New Bridge Road) and Route 614 (Carrs Bridge Road) in the northbound lanes, daily, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Route 652 (Kentucky Springs Road), right shoulder closure between Route 652 (Pine Point Place) and Route 700 (Haley Drive) in the southbound lanes, daily, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Route 679 (Firehouse Drive), lane and shoulder closures between Route 692 (Hickory Creek Road) and Poplar Drive in the northbound and southbound lanes, Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • Route 700 (Haley Drive), right shoulder closure between Route 652 (Kentucky Springs Road) and dead end of Route 700 (Haley Drive in the northbound lanes, daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(NEW) Interstate 64 – Pothole patching. Expect mobile, alternating lane closure between mile marker 131 and mile marker 147 in the eastbound and westbound lanes, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

(NEW) Interstate 64 – Ditch cleaning. Expect both shoulders closed between mile marker 131 and mile marker 147 in the eastbound and westbound lanes, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

(NEW) U.S. 15 (James Madison Highway – Super load. Expect slow-moving vehicle in mobile work zone between U.S. 250 (3 Notch Road) and Interstate 64 in the northbound and southbound lanes, nightly, Friday through Monday, Feb. 27, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.

Route 661 (Crewsville Road) – Pipe repairs/installation. Road closed between Route 601 (Paynes Mill Road) and Route 602 (Copper Line Road), daily through Feb. 29, 2024.

Madison County

U.S. 29 (South Seminole Trail) – Bridge repairs. Expect alternating lane closures between Route 621 (Seville Road) and Route 609 (Fredericksburg Road) in the southbound lanes, daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(NEW) Utility work under VDOT permit – expect alternating lane closures in the following areas, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

  • Route 621 (Seville Road), between Route 662 (Shelby Road) and Route 1030 (Oaks Lane) in the eastbound and westbound lanes.
  • Route 662 (Shelby Road), between Route 621 (Seville Road) and U.S. 29 (South Seminole Trail) in the southbound lanes.

Rappahannock County

U.S. 211 (Lee Highway) – Pipe repairs/installation. Expect alternating lane closures between Route 640 (Battle Mountain Road) and Route 611 (Seven Ponds Road) in the eastbound and westbound lanes, daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Route 729 (Richmond Road) – Bridge approach repairs. Expect flagging operation at Route 676 (Gore Road) in the northbound lanes, daily, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Road conditions and other real-time travel information can be found on the511 Virginia website,

the free VDOT 511 mobile app or by calling 511 from any phone in Virginia. VDOT updates are also on the Culpeper District Facebook page and the district’s Twitter account, @VaDOTCulp.

(END)

VDOT’s nine-county Culpeper District includes the counties of Albemarle, Culpeper, Fauquier, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock. The independent city of Charlottesville maintains its own roads.

Winter Weather Alerts In Effect For Some Of The Area – ! Canceled !

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As of late Friday morning the lowlands of Nelson County didn’t have any official winter weather alerts issued. However along and near the BRP a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect. This would include Wintergreen and general area in the higher elevations. The majority of the snow should fall to the north.

For a complete list of winter alert products in effect across the area, you can click here to go to our weather alerts link.
Tommy

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY
URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
935 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024

Augusta-Central Virginia Blue Ridge- (Including Wintergreen Resort)
935 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING
TO 5 AM EST SATURDAY…

* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches,
except locally 3 to 5 inches especially for elevations above
1000 feet.

* WHERE…Augusta County, and Central Virginia Blue Ridge.

* WHEN…From 9 PM this evening to 5 AM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour
are possible for a few hours under the heaviest snow bands.
Visibility may be reduced to less than one half mile at times.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Slow down and use caution while traveling.

When venturing outside, watch your first few steps taken on
steps, sidewalks, and driveways, which could be icy and slippery,
increasing your risk of a fall and injury.

URGENT – WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
935 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024

MDZ016>018-VAZ037-038-050-055>057-170000-
/O.EXT.KLWX.WW.Y.0011.240217T0400Z-240217T1200Z/
Charles-St. Marys-Calvert-Albemarle-Greene-Orange-Stafford-
Spotsylvania-King George-
935 AM EST Fri Feb 16 2024

…WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 11 PM THIS EVENING
TO 7 AM EST SATURDAY…

* WHAT…Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 1 to 3
inches.

* WHERE…Portions of southern Maryland, and central and northern
Virginia.

* WHEN…From 11 PM this evening to 7 AM EST Saturday.

* IMPACTS…Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Snowfall rates of up to 1 inch per hour
are possible for a few hours under the heaviest snow bands.
Visibility may be reduced to less than one half mile at times.

Virginia’s 4 PM Burning Law Now In Effect Until April 30, 2024

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Central Virginia Blue Ridge

Virginia’s 4 PM Burning Law is in effect from February 15 through April 30 each year. It is important to note that some localities may have even more restrictive regulations on outdoor burning than the state’s 4 PM Burning Law. All burners are encouraged to check with their locality before starting any outdoor burning.

To read more you can go here to the Virginia Department of Forestry website.

Snow Falls In Higher Elevations Across The Blue Ridge

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Wintergreen
Nelson County, Virginia

After some soggy, but mild days lately, the weather did an about face Tuesday morning as snow began falling in the higher elevations along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.

The snowfall was primarily confined to the higher elevations in the mountains.

For the immediate future rain and snow end. Brisk northerly winds will take hold Tuesday with colder temperatures in comparison to what we have seen for the last 10 days or so. No extreme cold weather is on the way, but definitely colder.

The next chance for rain or snow looks to be around the end of the week.

Buckingham County Man Charged Following Pursuit in Albemarle County

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Buckingham/Albemarle County, VA

From VSP
“Virginia State Police has charged a Buckingham County man with multiple charges following a pursuit Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2024) in Albemarle County. Antwan M. Maxie, 39, of New Canton, Va., now faces three counts of possession of a Schedule I/II drug third or subsequent offense, possession of a firearm while in possession of a Schedule I/II drug, one count of eluding law enforcement, one count of assault on a law enforcement officer and one count of hit-and-run.

Shortly before 12:30 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 7, 2024), Virginia State Police attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a 2011 Chevrolet Silverado in the 1200 block of 5th Street in Albemarle County. The driver of the Chevrolet, Maxie, refused to stop, intentionally rammed a Virginia State Police K9 patrol vehicle, and sped away. A pursuit was initiated. The Silverado continued westbound onto Interstate 64. State troopers positioned their vehicles around the Chevrolet to contain it and force it to a stop. A firearm, cocaine and fentanyl were recovered from inside the vehicle.

Maxie was taken into custody at the scene and then transported to UVA Medical Center for treatment of minor injuries. He was later transported to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail.

The incident remains under investigation. No law enforcement personnel were injured during the incident.

Corinne Geller
Public Relations Director
Virginia State Police”

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