Virginia
I-95 Shutdown: One year since major snowstorm caused 18+ hours worth of gridlock in Virginia
I-95 Shutdown: 1 Yr Later
Wednesday marks one yr for the reason that starting of an 18+ hour shutdown of I-95 in Virginia that left drivers stranded, a majority of them spending the night time of their automobiles, as a result of a significant snowstorm.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va. – Wednesday marks one yr for the reason that starting of an 18+ hour shutdown of I-95 in Virginia that left drivers stranded, a majority of them spending the night time of their automobiles, as a result of a significant snowstorm.
What occurred?
The incident started with a significant crash involving a number of tractor-trailers within the afternoon of Jan. 3. Site visitors alongside a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 95 got here to a standstill shortly after centered across the Fredericksburg space.
ON THE HILL: Evaluation of the I-95 shutdown
Rep. Abigail Spanberger spoke with FOX 5’s Tom Fitzgerald concerning the affect of the I-95 shutdown that left drivers stranded in a single day.
Between 7 to 11 inches of snow collected within the space on Jan. 3 with a lot of it freezing because the solar went down. As of three:30 p.m. on Jan. 3, Virginia State Police mentioned troopers had responded to greater than 2,000 requires service as a result of hazardous highway situations.
Virginia transportation officers say the explanation it took so lengthy to clear the roads was an lack of ability to pre-treat them earlier than the winter climate hit. In addition they say plowing was troublesome due to the speed of accumulation.
The shutdown impacted northbound and southbound lanes from exit 152 (Dumfries Street) to exit 104 (Carmel Church). That stretch of roadway remained closed into the morning of Jan. 4.
Site visitors Alert: Drivers Stranded On I-95 In Virginia
Authorities say some drivers have been caught on Interstate 95 within the Fredericksburg space of Virginia since Monday morning following a interval of heavy snow that swept throughout the area.
By 1 p.m. on Jan. 4, VDOT mentioned they had been detouring motorists who had been on I-95 between Caroline County and Prince William County.
I-95 was formally open with all disabled autos faraway from the roadway by 8 p.m. on Jan. 4. Nobody was injured on I-95 throughout the shutdown.
Traveler expertise
SKYFOX captured photographs that appeared to indicate drivers turning round on elements of Interstate 95 in Virginia to flee visitors.
I-95 Shutdown: Driver stranded for almost 24 hours on I-95 in Virginia speaks with FOX 5
FOX 5 photojournalist Mike Rickard spoke with a person who has been stranded on Interstate-95 within the Triangle, Virginia space for almost 24 hours after a extreme snowstorm moved throughout the area Monday morning.
Andrew Peters of Richmond lastly made it dwelling after a nine-hour trek within the winter climate when he was hit with a large Uber invoice of $600, WTOP-FM first reported. He finally acquired a discover of refund for his journey.
Meera Rao and her husband, Raghavendra, had been driving dwelling after visiting their daughter in North Carolina once they received caught. They had been solely 100 ft previous an exit however couldn’t transfer for roughly 16 hours, the Related Press wrote.
Even Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine received caught within the visitors for 19 hours.
“I began my regular 2 hour drive to DC at 1pm yesterday. 19 hours later, I’m nonetheless not close to the Capitol. My workplace is in contact with VDOT to see how we may also help different Virginians on this scenario. Please keep secure everybody,” he tweeted.
I-95 Shutdown: Virginia Sen. Kaine caught in visitors on I-95 for 19 hours following winter snowstorm
Virginia Senator Tim Kaine mentioned he was stranded in visitors on Interstate 95 together with different drivers for 19 hours in a single day after a winter snowstorm struck the D.C. area Monday.
A Baltimore bakery gave away loaves of bread and rolls to stranded motorists. Chuck Paterakis, a co-owner of H&S Bakery which operates Schmidt Baking Firm, instructed certainly one of his drivers additionally caught on I-95 to present a package deal of rolls and one loaf of bread to any particular person in want.
FOX 5 spoke to a household from Rhode Island touring all the way down to Florida who say they made it so far as Woodbridge earlier than checking right into a resort.
“This morning, we left at about 9:30, and I believe we made it seven miles up Route 1 and that took us till about 2 or 2:30 this afternoon, and we had been fortunate sufficient to discover a resort room and right here we’re for the night time,” the household says.
Investigating the shutdown
Virginia commissioned an investigation into the winter climate disaster in February 2022.
In his ultimate days in workplace, Gov. Ralph Northam took warmth for his feedback concerning the I-95 debacle together with a press release that he was “getting sick and bored with folks speaking about what went unsuitable.”
Earlier than leaving, he ordered an impartial assessment of what occurred that is being carried out by CNA, a nonprofit analysis and evaluation agency in Arlington, at a price of almost $80,000.
I-95 Shutdown: What went unsuitable?
There are nonetheless so many questions on how the scenario on i-95 received out of hand. FOX 5’s Maureen Umeh has the most recent.
The state-commissioned report mentioned Virginia state businesses collectively “misplaced situational consciousness” and didn’t sustain with rising gridlock.
Whereas the 41-page report provided strategies for bettering future emergency responses, it didn’t ascribe blame to any single particular person or company.
It famous first responders confronted unusually heavy snowfall, busier-than-normal visitors and COVID-19-related staffing shortages — all whereas coping with a freeway hall infamous for congestion in the most effective of circumstances.
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