The Virginia Department of Transportation has already used part of its snow removal budget for the year. Last winter only half of the 126-million dollars in snow removal money was used due to the mild conditions. December is starting out unseasonably warm, but Michelle Earl with VDOT says there are no worries. The agency says it has access to nearly 4,000 pieces of equipment for snow and ice control, along with 340,000 tons of salt, 95,000 tons of sand and a large supply of chemicals and treated abrasives. (bg)