Henrico officials provide update on road conditions; government facilities to reopen Wednesday

Most primary and secondary roads in Henrico County now are in excellent condition, according to Henrico Public Works officials, but neighborhood roads remain covered by thick, hard layers of snow and ice.

Crews have been working around the clock since the snow and ice storm began this weekend, but the unique conditions – snow, followed by sleet, followed by some freezing rain and bitter cold temperatures – have made clearing roads a more challenging and time-consuming effort than is typical in this region.

The county is deploying equipment to break up ice and snow in neighborhoods and then clear as much of it as possible, according to a post from Henrico Public Works officials on X.

"This work progresses much slower than when we're dealing with only powdery snow," they wrote.

Crews had to complete multiple passes of most primary and secondary roads during the past several days to clear them, because sub-freezing temperatures made it more difficult to do so. Typically, crews use salt to help melt ice and snow, but once the temperature drops below 20 degrees, that salt is mostly ineffective, officials said.

To combat that issue, they began using a 50/50 mix of sand and salt to provide additional traction.

As work begins progressing into subdivisions, officials are warning that driveway entrances will be blocked as plows clear the main neighborhood roads, but they are suggesting that residents clear an area at the left end of their driveways (when facing the road) to allow for a space for plowed snow and ice to go as that occurs.

Snowplows have been escorting Henrico Fire, EMS and police vehicles into neighborhoods during emergency calls, officials wrote.

"Rest assured, emergency services will still come to you if you need them!" they wrote.

County facilities to reopen Wednesday

Henrico officials will reopen the county's government buildings and facilities on Wednesday, they announced Tuesday afternoon.

All general government offices and facilities, as well as Henrico courts and clerks’ offices, will operate on a normal schedule Wednesday.

 Trash pickup is expected to resume Wednesday as well, on a two-day delay, where road conditions allow. Residents should to keep their carts by the curb or road’s edge until pickup occurs. The Springfield Road and Charles City Road public-use areas are expected to open at 10 a.m. Wednesday.