VDOT Road Watch 10/06/22

INTERSTATE 81     

INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXIT 137 TO EXIT 141 – A $179 million design-build project to widen both directions of I-81 between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 from two to three lanes is set to begin. Starting in February and continuing into the early summer, work will be performed on the inside and outside shoulders along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. The shoulders will be built up before barrier wall can be installed for road crews to work behind. Barrier wall will be installed along the shoulders in the spring and summer. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction will remain open during the project with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed.  Drivers can expect the following lane closures and upcoming impacts on northbound and southbound I-81:

• Ramp closures: Ramp closures at exit 137 are possible during nighttime hours, 12 a.m., to 5 a.m. Drivers should watch for message boards dates and times the ramp will be closed.
• Lane closures: Alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, are possible. Lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet.

Nightly lane closures may be in place along the right lane with possible nightly ramp narrows as needed for guardrail and shoulder strengthening.

• Northbound I-81 lane closures from mile marker 138 to 142
• Northbound I-81 exit and entrance ramp narrows possible at Route 311.

The project also includes replacing six bridges, widening two bridges, installing approximately 2.6 miles of sound barrier walls along northbound I-81, improving the southbound exit 137 off-ramp intersection at Wildwood Road and adding interchange lighting at exits 137, 140 and 141 are also included in the project. Expected completion in early 2026.

I-81 TROUTVILLE REST AREA CLOSURE – The Troutville Rest Area located on southbound Interstate 81 near mile marker 158 in Botetourt County is will remain closed until before Thanksgiving to support holiday travel. The opening scheduled for the end of September has been rescheduled due to the contractor encountering challenges with a slope on the project.

Signage indicating the closure is posted in the rest area. A temporary concrete barrier wall will remain in place in front of the facility. The rest area facility, ramps and parking lot are closed to the public. This project will extend the ramp into the rest area by 500 feet and the ramp out of the rest area by 2,100 feet. It will also include expanding the truck parking area at the facility by about 10-13 spaces. Work is expected to be completed in before Thanksgiving to support holiday travel.

• Rest area options: While the Troutville Rest Area is closed, southbound I-81 drivers can use the Fairfield Rest Area at mile marker 195 in Rockbridge County or the Radford Rest Area at mile marker 108 in Montgomery County. In addition, the Troutville Weigh Station, located on southbound I-81 at mile marker 149, will have portable toilets and parking will be temporarily available for commercial vehicles.

I-81 NORTHBOUND AT EXIT 105 NEW RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Traffic on northbound I-81 has been switched onto the newly constructed bridge over the New River at the Montgomery/Pulaski County line. The old bridge is being demolished. Lane and shoulder closures may be in place near exit 105. Lane closure may be in effect during the week from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Shoulder closures may be in effect at any time during the week. Slow rolls may be performed on I-81 in the north and southbound lanes from mile marker 98 to 109. Speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone. Shoulder closures will remain in place though the duration of the project. Project completion is estimated by summer 2023. 

• Route 605: Intermittent flagging operations will be present on Route 605, located under the New River Bridge, for work overhead on the bridge.
• Lane closures: Nighttime alternating lane closures will be in place on I-81 northbound between mile markers 104-106 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
• Slow rolls: Slow rolls may be utilized periodically on both the northbound and southbound lanes from mile marker 98-109 for structural steel deliveries and setting beams.

I-81 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

• Botetourt County: Left lane closes on I-81 northbound between mile marker 147 and 149.
• Montgomery County: Right lane closures in place for paving of I-81 southbound between mile marker 130 to 128.
• Pulaski County: Right lane closures in place for paving of I-81 northbound between mile marker 102 to 104.
• Roanoke County: Alternating lane closures on I-81 northbound for milling and paving from mile marker 134.5 to 132.4, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Periodically, exit 132 northbound may be closed. Message boards will notify drivers.
• Roanoke County: The exit 141 on-ramp on southbound I-81 may periodically be closed. Message boards will notify drivers.

I-81 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81. Between mile markers 138 to 152, right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

I-81 POTHOLE PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will patch potholes along southbound and northbound Interstate 81. Mobile right and left lane closures will be in place and moving along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for moving vehicles and equipment. Expect possible delays.

INTERSTATE 581

ROUTE 581 BRIDGE WORK OVER WILLIAMSON ROAD –On Route 11 (Williamson Road) drivers can expect intermittent and alternating lane closures between the intersections with Rutherford Avenue and Wells Avenue. Intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures between the intersections above might be required, and will be in place utilizing flagging operations. Any impacts to I-581 will be minimal. The project is expected to be complete at the December 2022.

• Lane closures:

o   A left lane closure will be in place on northbound and southbound I-581 from mile marker 0-1, Monday at 7 a.m. through Wednesday at 7 p.m.

o   A right lane closure will be in place on northbound and southbound I-581 from mile marker 0-1, Thursday at 7 a.m. through Saturday at 7 p.m.

o   A left and center lane closure will be in place on northbound and southbound I-581 from mile marker 0-1, Saturday at 5 p.m. through Sunday at 2 p.m.

• A right lane closure may be in place on Route 11 northbound between the intersections of Rutherford Avenue and Wells Avenue periodically.
• Nighttime left lane closures for both the northbound and southbound directions of Route 11 are possible between the intersections referenced above.

I-581/220 EXPRESSWAY PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

I-581/220 LANE & RAMP CLOSURES FOR PAVING AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS IN ROANOKE COUNTY– Weather permitting, crews will be milling and paving along Interstate 81. Right and left lane closures will be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours. Drivers should expect possible delays.

 I-581 BRIDGE REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 581. Right, center and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays. Scheduled traffic impacts include:

• Left or right lane closures may be in place on I-581 northbound from Orange Avenue to Valley View Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Left or right lane closures may be in place on I-581 from Valley View Boulevard to Orange Avenue from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Flagging operations may be in place on Liberty Road NW from Lukens Street NE to Hunt Avenue NW from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

ROANOKE CITY

 13^th STREET SE IMPROVEMENTS WITH DETOUR – A project to improve a portion of 13^th Street SE in Roanoke is underway. Located in a residential neighborhood just east of downtown Roanoke, this project will improve traffic flow and connectivity along 13^th Street SE from Tazewell Avenue to Norfolk Avenue. The project entails reconstructing about 0.2-mile of 13^th Street as an improved, two-lane roadway with 10.5-foot-wide travel lane and a raised median. A new roadway will extend 13^th Street to Norfolk Avenue and the intersection at 13^th Street and Wise Avenue will be reconfigured to include a roundabout. Bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks and curb and gutter will also be added. Southbound 13^th Street traffic has a detour in place using Norfolk Avenue onto 12^th Street to Tazewell Avenue. This detour will be in place throughout the duration of this project. Signs will be posted to designate the detour route. Northbound 13^th Street will remain open to traffic. Flaggers may be possible and the speed limit through the work zone is 25 mph. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2023.

SURFACE TREATMENT OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will begin surface treatment operations on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours.  Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays. The road surface may be rough for a several weeks after surface treatment is applied. Once it packs down, the road surface will be brushed and return to a more smooth surface.

ROANOKE COUNTY

ROUTE 311 AND ROUTE 419 ROUNDABOUT AT HANGING ROCK – A road project to replace the signalized intersection of Route 311 and Route 419 in Roanoke County at Hanging Rock with a roundabout is set to begin. The new roundabout is currently open to traffic. During the remaining construction, lane closures may be in place. Drivers should expect the following:

• Paving: Paving is underway until complete. Drivers should expect lane closures and flagging operations during nighttime hours, 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
• July through November: The new roundabout is now open to traffic. Drivers should still expect nighttime lane closures with flaggers between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday around the roundabout for final paving, pavement marking and sign installation.

ROUTE 628 CULVERT REPLACEMENT – Beginning April 11, 2022, Route 628 (Greenridge Road) will undergo a culvert replacement located .25 miles east of the road’s entrance from Route 780 (Cove Road). Both lanes are open to traffic with flagging operations in place through the end of the project. Expected completion is October 2022.  

BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSURE – The Blue Ridge Parkway will be repairing slope failures and a culvert failure at mile marker 127.9. A 15-mile stretch of the Parkway, mile marker 121.4 to 136, will be closed to all uses including cyclists, pedestrians and drivers. Detour signs to detour traffic around the Bent Mountain section of the Parkway will be in place. Traffic will be rerouted to Route 220 south to Route 419 north to Route 221 south. Traffic traveling north on the Parkway would be reversed. The detour is expected to be in place until 2023.

 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours.  Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

 SURFACE TREATMENT OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will begin surface treatment operations on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours.  Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays. The road surface may be rough for a several weeks after surface treatment is applied. Once it packs down, the road surface will be brushed and return to a more smooth surface.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

ROUTE 11 BUCHANAN BRIDGE PROJECT – A construction project on the Route 11 Bridge in the Town of Buchanan began on Monday, August 15. Water Street is closed and drivers should expect lane closures with flagging operations to begin in about two weeks. Message boards are present to alert and update drivers.

ROUTE 1095 (HIGHLAND DRIVE) PIPE FAILURE CLOSURE – Route 1095 (Highland Drive) near its intersection with Sanderson Road has been immediately closed until further notice due to a pipe failure. The road is currently impassable and is being assessed for repairs and materials. Drivers will need to seek alternate routes to avoid the area such as Murray Court to Richardson. Please adhere to closure signs. The road is expected to be closed approximately at least through Mid-December 2022.

ROUTE 622 CLOSURE – A road closure will be in place on Route 622 (Prices Bluff Road) beginning September 19 at 8 a.m. to install a concrete slab span located 0.23 miles from Route 696 (Locust Bottom Road) and 0.40 miles from Route 622 (Bridge Street.) The road is scheduled to reopen on October 28, 2022 at 4 p.m.

ROUTE 611 (GREYLEDGE ROAD) – A 1.5 mile section of Route 611 (Greyledge Road) is closed due to flooding that damaged the roadway. Extensive repairs will be needed and a detour will be in place. There is no estimated time for the road to reopen.

 ROUTE 817 (OLD RAIL ROAD) BRIDGE WORK – Old Rail Road in Oriskany is closed for repairs to the bridge over Craig’s Creek, the historic McCallister Truss Bridge. The bridge is located 0.60 miles from Route 704 (Branchwater Road) and 0.20 miles from Route 770 (Edlo Lane). The bridge will be closed during daytime hours, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, when the water is level is low. Work on this bridge is restricted when waters in the creek is high. All traffic between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. will use the Edlo Ford. Signs have been posted to alert drivers. Estimated time for completion Fall 2022.

PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours.  Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

CRAIG COUNTY

ROUTE 311 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER MEADOW CREEK – Temporary signals control traffic across the bridge and will be in place throughout the project. Construction will begin on the northbound side of the bridge and once completed, work will switch to the southbound side. In addition, a section of Route 646 (Allen Street) between Route 650 and Route 311 will be closed during construction and a signed detour will be in place. All traffic will be detoured to Marshall Street and Kanawha Street to access either 311 or the homes located off Allen Street. Speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph in the work zone with a width restriction of 9 feet. Drivers should expect delays and allow extra travel time through the work zone. Weather permitting, the bridge is expected to be open to traffic by the end of 2022.

• Traffic switch: On or about September 22, traffic on the bridge will switch from using the southbound lane to the northbound lanes while work continues. Southbound lanes will be closed. Temporary traffic signals will continue to direct traffic and message boards will notify drivers.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

ROUTE 615 CULVERT REPLACEMENT – As of April 11, 2022, Route 615 (Pilot Road) will undergo a culvert replacement located at the intersection of Pilot Road and Old Pike Road, across from the Pilot Post Office. Road is now open. Flagging operations may continue to be in place. Route 615 will be limited to one 10 foot lane.  Expected completion is October 2022.

ROUTE 11/460 MAINTENANCE WORK – Beginning on October 11, the right lane will be closed on Route 11/460 (Roanoke Road) towards Christiansburg Mountain from Route 641 (Den Hill) to just east of Route 639 (Mt. Pleasant) for shoulder and ditching. This lane closure will be in place throughout the week and Is scheduled to reopen on October 14, weather permitting.

ROUTE 622 BRIDGE WORK CLOSURE – Route 622 (Bradshaw Road) will be closed for a bridge maintenance project over Bradshaw Creek beginning on October 17. The location of the bridge is 0.10 mile from the Roanoke County line and 2.0 miles from Route 623. Drivers will need to seek alternate routes and residents on the road will have access to their homes during the closure. The road is expected to be open on October 20.

ROUTE 685 UTILITY WORK – Utility work is being performed on eastbound Route 685 (Prices Fork Road) to connect gas lines starting on Monday, September 26, 2022.  Motorists should expect delays due to lane closures from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Work is expected to be completed by September 30.

ROUTE 8 EVENT TRAFFIC CONGESTION – Route 8 may experience heavy traffic on fall weekends due to congestion related to tourist events at local farms in the area.  If possible, motorists should utilize detours to avoid traveling on Route 8 between Christiansburg and Riner during the peak hours of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours.  Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.