RICHMOND, VA (WTVR) - The wintery mix of snow and sleet that piled up in Central Virginia caused more than 140 accidents in Richmond from 5:00 p.m. to midnight Sunday evening, according to Virginia State Police.
But as the snow continued into Monday morning, traffic issues became less of a concern as temperatures only hovered above freezing near the ground. Virginia State Police said during rush hour Monday morning, they were only called to seven accidents.
Throughout the night and into Monday morning, VDOT crews worked 12-hour shifts to clear the roads. Sand and salt trucks rolled throughout the region until early Monday morning.
"We get breaks, but we've been pretty steady," Ed Visdale, a snowplow driver stationed out of VDOT's Midlothian Headquarters, said. "Especially yesterday right before dark when big flakes were falling."
VDOT spokesperson Dawn Eishcen said the department is about three-quarters of the way through the snow removal money allocated this season. Eischen said VDOT received $10.4 million in funding this season for snow removal.
If the Richmond region experiences more winter weather over the next few days and VDOT goes through the rest of its budget, Eischen said money can be take from the department's road maintenance fund to help pay for extra snow removal.
