VDOT briefed supervisors on storm damage, crews and remaining repairs

James Swartz, the Virginia Department of Transportation residency administrator, told the Grayson County Board of Supervisors that VDOT continues work on storm damage across the county and that significant tasks remain before all routes can be fully reopened.

Swartz said VDOT has identified 155 permanent repair sites; roughly 35 of those sites remain to be completed. Several closures remain in place while crews await manufactured concrete pipe and warmer paving temperatures. Work on some larger slope-stabilization contracts has proceeded more slowly than expected because of cold weather and the need for pumps and grout, he said.

The update described two separate contractor teams: cut crews that remove uprooted or leaning trees and cleanup crews that remove stumps and haul debris. Swartz said initial contractor instructions limited removals to trees uprooted, trees leaning 30 degrees or more toward a target, and trees with canopy damage. When residents raised complaints about contractor removals off the right of way, VDOT staff have reviewed the work with the contractor and reiterated the written scope.

Board members asked whether the current federalized contract allows crews to clear ice-storm debris added after the initial event. Swartz said the contract is federalized and bound by provisions such as Davis-Bacon wage requirements; that complicates broadening the scope without a separate procurement or an amendment. He said VDOT staff are asking district leadership whether the contract can be extended or a parallel contract issued so crews already in the county might assist with additional cleanup.

Supervisors also asked how residents should report remaining hazards. Swartz directed residents to contact the local VDOT office at the number he provided during the meeting.

Swartz said VDOT is monitoring a set of projects that were ready for construction before the storm; several moved back into construction planning but were delayed by weather. He identified individual routes in the county scheduled for overlay, culvert replacement with preformed concrete pipe, and slurry or asphalt treatments as part of the six-year secondary plan. He asked the board to identify at least two candidate routes for addition to the county’s list of prioritized projects.

The update closed with an explanation of inspection and monitoring: cut crews and cleanup crews typically operate with an on-site monitor; when a cleanup crew reports a route is unfinished, the contractor returns to complete additional cutting or removal.

Swartz answered several technical questions about timelines, pipe fabrication and pavement operations; he said final paving and guardrail installation depend on warmer temperatures.

Ending: VDOT will continue repairs as weather and materials allow; supervisors asked staff to pass citizen reports to VDOT and to follow up on whether the federal contract can be modified to address additional ice-storm debris.