Southbound Interstate 95 is shut down with no estimated time of reopening due to a multi-rig pileup that comes after a night of more than 300 minor crashes, police say.
All southbound lanes of Interstate 95 near the 136 mile marker were shut down as of 12:21 p.m. on January 3rd due to “multiple disabled tractor trailers.”
“We know many travelers are stopped behind these incidents + traffic blockages. Our crews and towing partners are working to reach incidents and clear them to reopen lanes, but intense snowfall rate continues at 1-2 inch per hour,” VDOT said in a Tweet.
VDOT says they have crews working to reach motorists stranded in the traffic caused by the pile up involving at least six semi trucks, but that there is no estimated time of reopening, reported Inside Nova News.
🚨I-95 southbound is closed in #Stafford near exit 136 (Centreport Pkwy.) for a crash involving 6 tractor-trailers. I-95 northbound reduced to a single lane in #Stafford near exit 140 (Courthouse Rd.) for multiple disabled tractor-trailers. pic.twitter.com/GmkSauqBvK
— VDOT Fredericksburg (@VaDOTFRED) January 3, 2022
This traffic backup comes after an evening of more than 500 crashes between 12:01 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on Monday, including one jackknifed tractor trailer.
“The majority of those crashes have involved only damage to vehicles. There have been no reported fatalities at this time,” Virginia State Police spokesperson Corinne Geller wrote according to 6 News Richmond.
“State police is still asking people to avoid driving, unless absolutely necessary. The drive is not worth the risk of a crash, getting stuck, injury to your/passenger, or the cost of a repair.”
Snow is collecting too fast for these #VSP troopers on I-95 in #PrinceWilliam Co & I-495 in #Springfield to keep their vehicles clear! #VSP troopers are up to 559 traffic crashes & 522 disabled/stuck vehicles across #virginia since 12:01 AM (1/3/22). Pls delay travel. @VaDOTNOVA pic.twitter.com/1UoGDKHoBE
— VA State Police (@VSPPIO) January 3, 2022
From 12:01 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. Monday, Virginia State Police have responded to:
- Richmond Division: 52 Disabled Vehicles & 108 Traffic Crashes
- Culpeper Division: 37 Disabled Vehicles & 16 Traffic Crashes
- Appomattox Division: 45 Disabled Vehicles & 43 Traffic Crashes
- Wytheville Division: 56 Disabled Vehicles & 31 Traffic Crashes
- Chesapeake Division: 11 Disabled Vehicles & 30 Traffic Crashes
- Salem Division: 41 Disabled Vehicles & 48 Traffic Crashes
- Fairfax Division: 43 Disabled Vehicles & 33 Traffic Crashes
Officials warn that, while weather may warm up by Monday afternoon, low temperatures on Monday night are expected to cause slippery conditions for Tuesday.