Storm response good; cost not so good

RICHMOND, Va. (WAVY) - Governor Bob McDonnell is pleased with the state's response to the latest weather event to hit the Commonwealth.

The majority of snow was concentrated in northern Virginia, but the middle Peninsula got a good share as well -- to which the governor urged drivers to let state crews have the right-of-way.

"For snow removal equipment to get in and finish work on secondary roads it's important people stay off. It's much harder to clear when there's a heavy volume and the plows are trying to do their work," McDonnell explained.

According to the governor and other state agencies on a conference call Saturday afternoon, all interstates were passable for drivers, but dangers remained -- mainly due to falling temperatures, melting snow and more.

State police were most concerned with freezing temps overnight Sunday into Monday.

"Our concern tonight is refreezing of the roadways and it is Super Bowl and we're concerned about folks that might have too much to drink and then get out and try to drive these roads tonight."

State police responded to more than 4,600 calls for service statewide. Two roadway deaths were reported in southwestern Virginia as a result of the storm, which is why the governor wants drivers to continue using caution behind the wheel.

The governor warned: "Just because the sun is out today, [do not] believe the effects of the storm are over, this is going to be something people are going to have to be concerned about for many days to come."

As for a price tag on this latest storm -- there's no definite answer yet -- in fact officials are still putting the numbers together from last weekend.

The Governor and VDOT admit these storms have put VDOT past it's $79 million budget, as well as its $25 million reserve budget. The weather event we had in mid-December cost $50 million alone.

What the Governor and VDOT are trying to do is move money around from future projects that are non-safety related to help cover the cost of responding to winter weather.