The Virginia Department of Transportation held a media conference Monday to stress that its snow removal procedures would not be impacted by budget cuts.

"VDOT will not be changing any of its snow removal operations or tactics for this coming snow season and we want the public to be very confident in the fact that they will continue to get the same service from VDOT this year that they have in years past," says Sandy Myers, the VDOT Public Relations Manager for the Staunton District.

Officials say that emergency response, which includes snow removal, was one area from which VDOT was not willing to cut funding.

Even with the budget cuts, anti-icing operations have been expanded in Augusta County for the coming snow season.

A brine solution is applied to the road shortly before wintry precipitation begins. This helps prevent a bond between the snow or ice and the pavement.

"We do feel like it is important to the program and in the end it will save us dollars in our budget because of the reduced materials we have to put down to take care of that snow and ice," says Tim Fitzgerald, the acting VDOT Verona Residency Administrator.

This year, VDOT will spray the solution on all primary roadways, including Interstate 64 in Augusta County, in its "anti-icing" efforts.