Updated 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 5 – As another major snowstorm blankets Stafford County with over six inches of snow on February 11, 2025, local officials are grappling with Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) depleted snow removal budget, which was exhausted by a previous winter storm on January 5–6.
During a Stafford County Board of Supervisors meeting on February 6, 2025, VDOT Residency Administrator Kyle Bates delivered a stark warning about the agency’s financial limitations.
“That money is gone. It’s gone. Our snow budget was that one storm,” Bates said.
The January 5–6, 2025 storm, known as Storm Blair, was a major winter weather event that severely impacted the region. Stafford County received up to 8 inches of snow, while Fredericksburg recorded between 5 and 6.3 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
The storm led to hazardous road conditions, multiple traffic incidents, and widespread travel disruptions. Reagan National Airport reported more than 200 flight cancellations due to the heavy snowfall.
VDOT’s Winter Weather Response & Budget
While VDOT’s initial snow removal budget has been exhausted, the agency has emphasized that it allocates resources as needed to respond to severe weather, regardless of initial estimates.
“VDOT estimates what will be spent each year on snow removal based on storms in prior years, but it is an estimate,” a VDOT spokeswoman Kelly Hannon explained. “It is used for planning purposes within the agency’s overall maintenance budget, but VDOT will always devote the resources needed to respond to severe weather.”
For the February 11–12 storm, VDOT mobilized staff and equipment at Level 5, its highest response level, to match the forecasted six or more inches of snow in the Fredericksburg area.
VDOT has a statewide weather response budget of $222 million for the 2024–2025 winter season, slightly higher than the $220 million allocated for the 2023–2024 season. However, funding is distributed based on district-specific equipment needs, historical weather trends, and overall maintenance priorities.
“Each district has an estimated budget for weather response within this larger number, but it is a planning tool. Needs fluctuate district to district each year, and the maintenance budget is intended to support needs statewide,” Hannon continued.
Ongoing Challenges for Snow Removal
With the February 11 storm continuing to impact local roads, residents are expressing concerns about how VDOT will handle additional snowfall.
During the meeting, Bates acknowledged the difficulty of plowing secondary and residential roads, stating that VDOT had to bring in additional motor graders from across Virginia during the January 5–6 storm due to the extreme ice accumulation.
“Motor graders were brought in from across Virginia to clear compacted snow and ice,” Bates said.
Infrastructure and Safety Concerns
Beyond the immediate challenge of winter weather, Bates also updated the board on critical road infrastructure projects, including:
- Falmouth Bridge (Route 1 over the Rappahannock River), where northbound lanes remain closed due to structural concerns, with emergency repairs underway.
- Leland Road (Route 626) widening project, scheduled for 2028, to improve traffic flow and pedestrian access.
- Pedestrian safety improvements, including new crossings at Prim Road, Plantation Drive, and Parkway Boulevard.
Fredericksburg is taking another step forward to become a more walkable community with the recent start of construction off LaFayette Boulevard, which is part of the city’s Twin Lake Drive and Kensington Pedestrian Connector project.
This $2.4 million project includes extending a 10-foot wide paved shared-use path along the north side of Lafayette Boulevard between Twin Lake Drive and St. Paul Street in the City of Fredericksburg. The path will be accessible, with ramps and crosswalks built where the route intersects with Twin Lakes Drive, Springwood Drive, Kensington Place, and St. Paul Street.
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(FXBG Advance) – The process Fredericksburg City Council is following to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat could conflict with state code—especially with a provision added last year that states that governing bodies must publicly announce the names of those being considered to fill a vacant seat at least seven days before the appointment is made.
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Surge in Commuting Demand
According to GWRC’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program, GWRideConnect, inquiries about ridesharing options have increased substantially. Commuters from Fredericksburg and the counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford are turning to ride-sharing to ease their daily travel.
“We’ve been steadily seeing an increase of people going back to the office, and then it just jumped, jumped a lot,” McKenney said. “A lot of federal workers down here are trying to find a van, trying to find the train. It seems like a lot of people who know where the train and buses are haven’t been calling as much as people looking for vans to areas that maybe the transportation doesn’t go directly to.”
The Role of Vanpools and OmniRide
GWRC functions as the commuter assistance program for the region, helping match riders to appropriate vanpools and other transit options. Vanpools, which are considered a form of transit in Virginia, operate as private-public partnerships with small business owners managing fleets of commuter vans.
“We are the commuter assistance program for the region, and our biggest service is the vanpool matching system. Vanpools are a form of transit in Virginia, but we do a private-public partnership, so the vanpool operators are private companies. They essentially own fleets of vans, maintain them, and rent them out to commuters,” McKenney explained.
OmniRide’s expanded services in Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties have also played a significant role in accommodating the commuter surge. Some OmniRide routes have become so successful that they are reportedly operating at a profit—a rarity in public transportation. “Some of those routes are doing really, really great, and they’re even making a profit,” McKenney noted. “I don’t know how much, but that’s what I’ve heard. Generally, public transportation is a service, not a for-profit thing.”
The Impact of Transportation Infrastructure Expansions
McKenney acknowledged that new transportation developments have influenced commuting patterns. The extension of express lanes on I-95 past Route 3 and the increased presence of commuter buses in the area have made transit options more accessible. “With the new express lanes and expanded bus service, commuters now have more flexibility in planning their routes,” she said. “A lot of interest is in places like the Mark Center in Alexandria, where direct transit options are limited. Vanpools are a great solution for those routes.”
Monitoring Commuter Trends
GWRC regularly tracks commuter lot usage and plans to conduct an additional lot count in early spring to assess changing patterns. “We do an annual commuter lot count, but we’re considering doing another one soon to measure the impact of recent return-to-office policies,” McKenney stated. “After everybody has been sent back and settled into their routines, we may do another count in early spring.”
For additional details on upcoming commuter assistance events and ridesharing options, visit gwrideconnect.org or call 540-373-7665.
Maryland Man Convicted of Supplying Drugs to Fredericksburg Trafficker
Sean Shaka Myles Sr., 50, of Baltimore, was convicted for conspiring to distribute cocaine and fentanyl to a Fredericksburg trafficker. He faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison. (Full details)
Stafford Man Convicted for Assaulting Passenger During Flight
Everett Chad Nelson, 44, was found guilty of attacking a sleeping, deaf passenger on a flight to Dulles Airport, causing severe injuries. He faces up to 10 years in prison. (Full details)
Honduran National Sentenced for Illegal Reentry & Failing to Register as a Sex Offender
Eliseo Garcia Gordillo, 43, previously convicted of sexual battery in Prince William County, was sentenced to two years in prison for reentering the U.S. and failing to register as a sex offender. (Full details)
Dumfries Man Pleads Guilty to COVID-19 Relief Fraud
Kingsley Apenteng, 40, admitted to falsifying documents to obtain a $149,740 PPP loan, which was later forgiven. He faces up to 20 years in prison. (Full details)
Metro Nova Creative is adding a creative twist to fundraising in downtown Fredericksburg: Business owner Dan Craddock announced that his team will surprise a different non-profit organization each quarter with unique designs on t-shirts, stickers, and merchandise.Â
Their first selection for 2025 is the Central Rappahannock Regional Library (CRRL). Fans can visit Metro Nova Creative's online store each quarter of 2025 to see the latest designs for their new fundraising efforts, and to purchase the merchandise. The sales from the merchandise will go to the nonprofit to be used as needed.Â
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Award-winning brand Always Flavored is relocating across the street from 610 to 619 Caroline St., with plans to open by March 31, 2025. The move allows for an expanded selection of hot sauces, seasonings, and gourmet products, plus tastings and events.
The announcement comes as the brand celebrates recent award wins:
- Ritabeata's Mild Sauce – 2nd place (International Flavor Awards)
- Peri Peri Sauce – 3rd place (2025 Scovie Awards)
More in a press release:
Always Flavored, the award-winning, locally sourced brand known for its premium hot sauces, seasonings, and gourmet offerings, is excited to announce the relocation of its store from 610 Caroline St to a new, expanded location at 619 Caroline St, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. The move is expected to be completed no later than March 31, 2025, with hopes of opening sooner. This expansion marks a significant milestone for the company, allowing it to better serve its growing customer base while continuing to support the local community.
“We are excited to stay in downtown Fredericksburg and continue being part of this vibrant community,” said Rita Witte, founder and owner of Always Flavored. “This new space will allow us to connect with our customers in a more personal way, host exclusive tastings and events, and further our mission of providing high-quality, locally sourced flavors to the community.”
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Don’t miss out on the exciting “Seussical Jr.” performance at Riverside Center for the Performing Arts.
This limited-run show features the classic Dr. Seuss story of Horton the Elephant and his journey to protect the Whos and an egg left in his care. The show runs every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from February 4 to March 1, 2025, with an additional Saturday show on March 1. Tickets are just $20 per person, and children under three are free.
The Children’s Theatre returns with an amazing performance for all ages! You can even bring your own lunch to enjoy before the show on Tuesday and Thursday performances. Group tickets are available for Tuesday and Thursday shows by calling 540-479-1356, while Saturday matinees can be purchased online or by calling 540-370-4300.
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Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS) will soon embark on a new initiative to expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) student opportunities, thanks to a $1 million donation from the Silver Companies. Founded in Fredericksburg and now headquartered in Florida, the regional real estate company has pledged the investment to help build a new CTE Center, set to be named after Larry D. Silver, the company's founder and a graduate of James Monroe High School.
The Fredericksburg Education Foundation will hold the funds until the concept for the new CTE Center is fully developed and the facility is constructed. This donation is part of an ongoing effort by FCPS to enhance its career training offerings, focusing on areas such as criminal justice, culinary arts, emergency medicine, trades like HVAC and plumbing, and many more.
