Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Snow blanketed the Salem area Sunday afternoon and evening, leading to slick roads, delayed openings, and ongoing cleanup efforts by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Due to the wintry weather, all Salem City Offices opened at 10 a.m. instead of the usual 8 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 6. City officials cited concerns about potentially hazardous road and sidewalk conditions in the morning hours.
VDOT crews and contractors continued working to make roads passable after the snowfall. However, additional precipitation and plummeting overnight temperatures were expected to cause refreezing, keeping some roads slick with snow and icy patches.
Plowing and treatment efforts extended to lower-volume secondary roads, including neighborhood streets, but progress was slowed in some areas by downed trees and debris. Crews also had to refocus on interstates and primary routes due to ongoing precipitation.
VDOT warned that drivers should not expect completely clear roads, as frozen snow and slush might remain on secondary road surfaces. Conditions were expected to improve once temperatures rose above freezing.
Motorists were urged to exercise caution and be prepared for icy conditions, even on roads that had already been plowed or treated.
