INTERSTATE 81
INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT EXIT 137 TO EXIT 141 – The $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 underway.
Work is being performed along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate
81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. Barrier wall is in place along the shoulders. Two
lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction are expected to 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 traffic impacts in this area
on northbound and southbound I-81:
ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC IMPACTS:
- 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.
o LANE CLOSURES scheduled as follows:
o Tuesday, January 7 – Northbound left lane closure from mile marker 147.5-148.74.
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o Wednesday, January 8 – Northbound right lane closure from mile marker 147.5-
148.74.
o Thursday, January 9 – Northbound right and left lane closures from mile marker
147.5-148.74.
- FLAGGING OPERATIONS: Flagging operations possible on Route 635 and Route 619.
- UNEVEN PAVEMENT: Drivers may experience some uneven pavement and/or rough
surface throughout the project.
- TRAFFIC SHIFTS: Drivers may experience periodic lane closures, narrow ramps or quick
merges into traffic onto Thompson Memorial Drive from the southbound or northbound exit
ramps of exit 140 off of I-81. Work zone located at bottom of the ramp for work on the I-81
bridge at the underpass.
- TRAFFIC SHIFTS ON WILDWOOD ROAD: Expect a work zone with traffic shifts and
narrow width on Wildwood Road after exiting I-81 southbound on exit 137 heading towards
Salem. Southbound and northbound I-81 exit and entrance ramp narrows are possible at
Route 311.
- WORK ZONE SPEED: Drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work
zone and allow space when following a vehicle. Narrow spacing in lanes due to barrier
walls, lack of shoulders and lane shifts in various locations, are present.
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 offramp intersection at Wildwood Road and adding interchange lighting at exits 137, 140 and 141.
Expected completion in early 2026.
I-81 NB & SB DECK OVERLAY AT PEAK CREEK MILE
MARKER 95.7 – Repair work is underway on the northbound and southbound bridges on I-81
over Peak Creek near mile marker 95.7. This repair work will require nighttime single lane
closures for the duration of the project. Lane closures may occur nightly from Sunday night
through Friday mornings between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. For the deck overlay process,
lane closures may be in place between Sunday nights through Friday mornings. For the
southbound lanes these will occur between the hours of 7pm and 10am, and for the northbound
lanes between the hours of 6pm through 9am. Details on these closures will be listed below on a weekly basis. Estimated completion is February 2025.
- Deck work postponed for next eight weeks due to cold weather. Alternating nighttime
northbound and southbound left and right lane closures may or may not be in place from
mile marker 96 to 94 during the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. while other work on the
project continues.
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. 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.
- LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime left lane closures are scheduled Wednesday, February
12 and Thursday, February 13 on I-81 southbound between mile marker 106 and 104
from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
- ROUTE 605: Alternating lane closures and flagging operations may be present on Route
605, located under the New River Bridge, for paving operations and work overhead on
the bridge.
- 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 IMPROVEMENTS FROM MILE MARKER 143 TO 151 –
Periodic lane closures may be in place during nighttime hours 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., on northbound
and southbound I-81 for survey and preparation work for an upcoming widening project along I-81.
I-81 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will
repair bridge decks on Interstate 81 between mile markers 170 to 89, 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.
INTERSTATE 581
I-581 PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, beginning
August 18, crews will perform paving and patching operations. Lane closures will be in place
northbound and southbound, Sunday through Thursday, during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.
the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
INTERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)
I-77 PAVING & PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting,
crews will perform paving and patching operations on Interstate I-77. Right, left and center lane
closures will be in place northbound and southbound, Monday through Friday, during nighttime
hours, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect
possible delays.
I-77 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will perform
paving operations on Interstate 77. Right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and
southbound during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should
watch for signs and expect possible delays.
- Beginning January 27, 2025, bridge deck overlays on I-77 began from 8.78 miles north
of the North Carolina line to 6.24 miles south of the intersection with Route 58. Lane
closures will be in place underneath the bridge on Route 148. Expected completion date
is scheduled for Fall 2025.
ROANOKE CITY
None to report.
ROANOKE COUNTY
(UPDATED 1-24-25) * APPALACHIAN TRAIL BRIDGE OVER ROUTE 311 – A new
pedestrian bridge is under construction over Route 311 at McAfee Knob trailhead. The trailhead
parking lot is currently closed and will remain closed during construction. Flagging operations
may be in place daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Occasional slow rolls during nighttime hours are
possible. Alternate areas for parking and updates on the shuttle can be found by calling 540-387-
5588 or visiting the shuttle website at www.roanokecountyva.gov/McAfeeShuttle. Expected
completion is winter 2025.
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSURES IN ROANOKE AREA –
Blue Ridge Parkway may be repairing roads in our area that require road closures and flagging
operations and detours may be in place. Visit their website at
www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm for more information.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline
construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in
the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction
entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
BEDFORD COUNTY
ROUTE 639 CLOSURE – Effective Monday, January 27, a section of
Route 639 (Hurricane Drive) will be closed for a slab installation. The structure is located 3.09
miles north of Route 643 (Otterville Road) and 0.17 mile south of Route 122 (Big Island
Highway). Work is scheduled for completion in March 2025.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
ROUTE 220 AND INTERNATIONAL PARKWAY/ASHLEY WAY
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS – Work is underway on a road construction project to
improve traffic flow and safety by converting the intersection at Route 220 and Route 839/Route
1126 (International Parkway/Ashley Way) to a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT). Construction
is anticipated to be completed in summer 2025. Drivers can expect the following traffic pattern
changes at the intersection of Route 220 and International Parkway/Ashley Way:
- The long-term left lane closures that have been in place on northbound and southbound
Route 220 in the work zone have been removed. Drivers should still expect possible
temporary lane closures during daytime hours in both directions of Route 220.
- In addition, two new crossovers are now open for motorists to turn right and make Uturns from the side streets. International Parkway traffic that has been using Route 673
(Greenfield Street) and Route 670 (Trinity Road) to reach northbound Route 220 have a
new crossover to make this movement. Ashley Plantation traffic also have a new
crossover closer to the intersection to make U-turns.
- Speed limit remains reduced to 45 mph in the work zone.
- Throughout the life of the project, drivers can expect lane closures on Route 220 and
traffic pattern changes at the intersection.
- Estimated completion is summer 2025.
CRAIG BOTETOURT SCENIC TRAIL BRUSH CUTTING AND
STABILIZATION WORK – Residents along the former Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Craig
Valley Branch railbed in Botetourt and Craig counties may notice maintenance work continuing
on the old railbed. These activities are intended to prevent additional deterioration and to help
designers who are developing plans for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail. VDOT continues
to collect data and conduct site visits and field reviews on the railbed. The cost estimate for the
Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail is still being refined and a specific schedule for construction has yet
to be determined. VDOT plans to hold public hearings on the project in 2025. The hearing dates
have not yet been announced.
CARROLL COUNTY
ROUTE 620 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS – A safety improvement
project on Route 620 is underway from 0.1 mile south of Route 707 to 0.1 mile north of Route
- Flagging operations may be in place during daytime hours and drivers should use caution in
the work zone. Watch for message board updates. The expected completion date is scheduled for
June 2025.
ROUTE 764 CLOSURE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Route
764 (Panther Creek Road) is closed for a bridge replacement project over Greasy Creek. The
bridge is located 2.8 miles from the Pulaski County line and 0.05 mile north of Route 765. A
detour will be in place for the duration of the bridge replacement. The scheduled completion date
is September 2025.
CRAIG COUNTY
MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline
construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in
the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction
entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
FLOYD COUNTY
None at this time.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
CONNECTOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION CLOSES BRICK
CHURCH ROAD – During the week of November 11, drivers who use the intersection
of Route 697 (Brick Church Road) and Route 220 (Virgil Goode Highway) in the Wirtz
area of Franklin County began to reroute due to a project to build a new connector
road.
- Brick Church Road will be closed to through traffic starting just east of its
intersection with Route 696 (Pleasant Breeze Drive). Drivers heading east on
Brick Church Road toward Route 220 will need to use Pleasant Breeze Drive to
access southbound Route 220.
- Southbound Route 220 drivers who normally turn onto Brick Church Road will
need turn at Pleasant Breeze Drive to return to Brick Church Road if they are
heading to destinations west of Pleasant Breeze Drive. Local traffic will still be
able use the section of Brick Church Road between Route 220 and Pleasant
Breeze Drive to access homes and businesses.
- During construction, flaggers will control traffic at times and a temporary signal will
be installed at the intersection of Brick Church Road and Pleasant Breeze Drive, so
drivers should expect possible delays and use caution in the work zone. Motorists
should pay attention to signs and electronic message boards.
These traffic changes will begin during road construction and will remain in place once
a new 0.4-mile section of roadway is built to connect Brick Church Road and
Commonwealth Parkway. As part of the project, a new cul-de-sac will be constructed
on Brick Church Road just east of its intersection with Pleasant Breeze Drive. The road
project is being administered by Franklin County and is anticipated to be completed by
the end of 2024.
ROUTE 705 CLOSURE FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT –
Effective Monday, January 27, 2025, a section of Route 705 (Chestnut Hill Road) will
be closed for a pipe replacement. The structure is located 0.32 mile south of Route 714
(Washboard Road) and 1.46 miles north of Route 954 (Ball Park Road). Drivers can
detour around the closure by using Route 40 to Rocky Mount and then taking southbound
Route 220 to Route 631 (Doe Run Road) to return to Chestnut Hill Road. Work is
scheduled for completion by Friday, March 2025.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline
construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in
the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction
entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
GILES COUNTY
MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline
construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in
the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction
entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
HENRY COUNTY
ROUTE 220 LANE CLOSURES FOR PEDESTRIAN PROJECT – A
pedestrian crossing installation is underway at the Daniels Creek Road intersection on Route
- A lane closure will be in place on Route 220 and turning lanes on Daniels Creek Road will
also be closed. Drivers should watch for message boards and signage. Expected completion is
scheduled for October 2025.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
ROUTE 8 PARK AND RIDE – Work is set to begin to build a park and ride
lot on Route 8 near the entrance/exit to I-81 at mile marker 114. This project will include a
parking structure, bus shelter, as well as road and pedestrian improvements for adjoining streets.
Traffic impacts will include alternating lane closures on Route 8 between Mud Pike Road and
the entrance/exit ramps for I-81 at MM 114 and shoulder and single lane closures on Route 666
(Mud Pike Road) at the intersection with Moose Drive and between the intersections of Mud
Pike Road and College Street except during peak hours, Monday through Friday. Expected
completion is winter 2027.
MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline
construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in
the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction
entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
PATRICK COUNTY
ROUTE 58 LOVER’S LEAP PROJECT – Construction is underway
on Lover’s Leap area of Route 58. Current work includes clearing and grading activities on the
west and east portions of the project. A 45-mph speed reduction is in place on Route 58 for
the entire length of the project. Drivers should expect flagging operations during day and
nighttime hours. Message boards are in place to alert traffic and drivers should expect delays.
Estimated completion date is Summer 2026.
- TRAFFIC SHIFT: A traffic shift is in place approximately 1.5 miles east of Lovers
Leap Overlook and 1.5 miles west of Route 640 (Central Academy Road). Drivers should
expect this shift to remain in place through the end of 2025.
- ROUTE 640 EXTENDED CLOSURE – The section of Route 640 (Central Academy
Road) between Route 58 and Route 621 (Community Church Lane/Bouldin Church
Lane) will be closed to through traffic starting (updated date) September 30. The closure
is expected to remain in place for approximately three months and be removed before the
end of the year. Drivers can detour around the closure using Route 8. The existing road
elevation along this section of Route 640 will be raised approximately ten feet as part of
the ongoing road construction project to widen Route 58 over Lovers Leap Mountain.
- TRAFFIC PATTERN – The new traffic pattern on a 0.4-mile section of RT 58, 1.8
miles east of Cloudbreak Road, is in place. Traffic in a curve on the road widening
project is using a straighter section of Route 58 with a shoulder. This slight shift will
remain in place until further notice. Flaggers may be in place.
- TRUCK ESCAPE RAMP CLOSURE: The escape ramp located 2.9 miles east of the
Lovers Leap Overlook/Fred Clifton Park and 1.1 miles east of Dehart Botanical Gardens
has been permanently closed. Please be aware of brake check points along Route 58 and
check your brakes frequently. A brake check point is located 0.6 miles east of Route 610
(Cloudbreak Road) near Poor Farmer’s Farm. All trucks MUST check their brakes
prior to traveling down the mountain.
- BLASTING NOTICE: Blasting operations are underway on the project. Intermittent
blasting will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays and continue at
various locations on the project through summer 2025. For blasting that is close to Route
58, traffic in both directions may be blocked for approximately 15-20 minutes at a time.
Drive and residents along the Route 58 corridor should expect loud noise and allow extra
travel time. Electronic message boards will be used to inform drivers of scheduled
blasting that will impact traffic.
- DETOUR SIGNS: While detour signs in a fluorescent pink color are in place, these do
not designate a permanent or scheduled detour. The signed detour route is suitable
for all traffic during incidents including tractor-trailers and other large vehicles.
These signs are used for incident detours only.
PULASKI COUNTY
None at this time.