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:
WORK ZONE SPEED: With narrow spacing in lanes due to barrier walls, lack of shoulders and lane shifts in various locations, drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work zone and allow space when following a vehicle.
RAMP CLOSURES: Ramp closures 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. Northbound lane closures from I-81 mile marker 136 to 141. Southbound Lane closures from I-81 mile marker 141 to 136.
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 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.
SLOW ROLLS SCHEDULED: A slow roll operation may be in place daily beginning on Monday through Friday, between mile marker 101 and 105 northbound and between mile marker 109 and 105 southbound, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
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. 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.
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. Expected completion end of 2022.
LANE CLOSURES: 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. 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. 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.
I-581 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.
ROANOKE CITY
13th STREET SE IMPROVEMENTS WITH DETOUR – A project to improve a portion of 13th 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 13th Street SE from Tazewell Avenue to Norfolk Avenue. The project entails reconstructing about 0.2-mile of 13th Street as an improved, two-lane roadway with 10.5-foot-wide travel lane and a raised median. A new roadway will extend 13th Street to Norfolk Avenue and the intersection at 13th Street and Wise Avenue will be reconfigured to include a roundabout. Bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks and curb and gutter will also be added. Southbound 13th Street traffic has a detour in place using Norfolk Avenue onto 12th 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 13th 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.
TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGE: Northbound traffic will be switched to the northbound lane of 13th Street. Southbound traffic will still be detoured around the work zone.
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. Expected completion is end of 2022. Drivers should expect the following:
LANE CLOSURES: Single lane closure with a flagging operation will be in place on Wise Avenue between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
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.
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 is underway. Water Street is closed for the duration of the project and drivers should expect periodic lane closures with flagging operations to be in place during daytime hours. Message boards are present to alert and update drivers. Expected completion in summer 2023.
ROUTE 1095 (HIGHLAND DRIVE) PIPE FAILURE CLOSURE – Route 1095 (Highland Drive) near its intersection with Sanderson Road is closed until further notice due to a pipe failure. The road is currently impassable and 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 or at least through Mid-December 2022.
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.
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 Sept. 22, traffic was switched from using the southbound lane to the northbound lane while work continues. Southbound lanes are closed. Temporary traffic signals will continue to direct traffic and message boards will notify drivers.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
ROUTE 114 TURN LANE CONSTRUCTION – Construction is underway on road improvements on Route 114 (Peppers Ferry Road) for a new entrance to Belview Elementary School. Motorists should expect daily lane closures controlled by flagging. Work is expected to be completed by the end of November 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.
