On Tuesday morning, January 2, 2024, Goochland County Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services started running traffic accidents on I-64/Rt. 288 beginning at 05:58 hours. Roadways were covered with patchy invisible ice and particularly the concrete “fly over bridges” on Rt. 288 at I-64. Altogether, we responded to five traffic crashes in this immediate area. At 6:52 hours we responded back to Rt. 288 Northbound Lanes between the Broad Street Road exit and I-64 intersection for another traffic crash on the icy overpasses. Due to the crash and conditions at the scene Rt. 288 was completely shut down by Goochland County Fire Rescue’s Engine 611 crew placing the engine sideways across the highway, for an extended period of time to protect the scene and travelers until conditions improved. Fire-Rescue crews helped improve road conditions by assisting a VDOT contractor with the spreading of sand on the overpasses so Rt. 288 could be reopened.

These incidents are an important reminder that this time of year icy conditions can be found on our roads, especially on bridges and overpasses like Rt. 288 before and after winter storms. Icy mornings like today, usually wreak havoc on these bridges, more so than forecasted intense winter weather. Please use caution when conditions like this morning are present.