WVDOH pretreating roads in anticipation of coming snowfall

The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) is pretreating roads all over the state in anticipation of a wintry mix of snow, sleet and freezing rain expected on Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

When the WVDOH knows snow is coming, road crews will often pretreat roads with salt brine before bad weather hits. Brine makes it harder for snow and ice to stick to roads, and makes it easier to plow.

In District 1 (Boone, Clay, Kanawha, Mason, and Putnam counties), road crews are pretreating interstates, US highways, West Virginia state routes, and any other Priority 1 routes. In District 2 (Cabell, Lincoln, Logan, Mingo, and Wayne counties), crews are pretreating interstates, US highways, West Virginia state routes, and other Priority 1 routes in Cabell, northern Wayne, and Lincoln counties.

In District 3 (Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Wirt, and Wood counties), crews are pretreating interstates, US highways, West Virginia state routes, and other Priority 1 routes in all counties. In District 4 (Doddridge, Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor counties), crews are pretreating interstates, US highways, West Virginia state routes, and other Priority 1 routes in all counties.

In District 5 (Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, and Morgan counties), crews are pretreating interstates, US highways, West Virginia state routes, and other Priority 1 routes in all counties. In District 6 (Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Ohio, Tyler, and Wetzel counties), crews are pretreating WV 2, US 250, Interstate 70, Interstate 470, and WV 88.

In District 8 (Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph, and Tucker counties), crews are pretreating US highways, West Virginia state routes, and other Priority 1 routes in Randolph and Tucker counties. In District 9 (Fayette, Greenbrier, Monroe, Nicholas, and Summers counties), crews are pretreating interstates, US highways, West Virginia state routes and other Priority 1 routes.

In district 10 (McDowell, Mercer, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties), crews are pretreating Interstate 64 and the Coalfields Expressway.

All roads maintained by the WVDOH fit into one of four priorities and are addressed as storm conditions dictate. Once priority 1 routes are accessible, they move to priority 2 and 3 routes. As snow returns, the return to the priority 1 routes.

Priority 1 routes include Interstate, Expressway, National Highway System, and all other United States and West Virginia routes. Some Priority 1 routes also include high-traffic county routes.
Priority 2 routes are all other school bus routes that are not considered Priority 1.
Priority 3 routes are the remaining routes, not including park and forest routes.
Priority 4 routes are park and forest routes.

The WVDOH has approximately 1,000 snowplows available statewide. In addition, the WVDOH operates snow blowers and road graders for SRIC in higher elevations. Drivers conduct dry runs prior to SRIC season to become completely familiar with their routes.

As of mid-October, the WVDOH had stockpiled 186,116.87 tons of salt and 145,949.31 gallons of salt brine. Supplies can be replenished as necessary.

As the men and women of the WVDOH are out on the highways clearing snow and ice, we urge drivers to maintain a safe distance of at least 200 feet behind a working snowplow. And NEVER try to pass snowplows working the roads side by side.

WVDOH pretreating roads in anticipation of coming snowfall

Contact: