INTERSTATE 81
INTERSTATE 81 BRIDGE MAINTENANCE IN PULASKI COUNTY – Bridge maintenance will require the on-ramps to Route 100 off I-81, northbound and southbound, to be closed from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning, Sunday through Friday mornings. Drivers should watch message boards for the most up to date information as times and days may vary.
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:
- 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.
- RAMP CLOSURES: Ramp closure of exit 140 on and off ramps onto southbound I-81 in Salem scheduled to be closed on Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. the following morning, weather permitting.
- 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 off ramp intersection at Wildwood Road and adding interchange lighting at exits 137, 140 and 141. Expected completion in early 2026.
I-81 WIDENING FROM MILE MARKER 143 TO 151 – The I-81 widening project is underway with survey and preparation work. Shoulder strengthening work will require northbound and southbound lane closures during nighttime hours. Barrier wall installation expected in late summer or fall. The expected completion for this project is summer 2031.
- WORK ZONE SPEED: Drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work zone and allow space when following a vehicle. Speed reminders are posted for drivers.
- Belle Haven Road – Drivers may see periodic daytime flagging operations in place.
- LANE CLOSURES: Periodic right and left lane closures in place during nighttime hours 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., on northbound and southbound I-81.
- RAMPS: Ramps on I-81, northbound and southbound, may be narrowed at exit 150, 146 and 143.
- DETOUR SIGNS: While detour signs are in place on I-81 and routes around the project such as Route 11 and Plantation Road, 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 traffic incident detours only.
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 7 p.m. and 10 a.m., and for the northbound lanes between the hours of 6 p.m. through 9 a.m.
- 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 6 a.m. while other work on the project continues.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
ROUTE 613 BRIDGE MAINTENANCE CLOSURE – A section of Route 613 (Naff Road) is closed for bridge maintenance. The structure is located 0.20 mile south of Route 726 (Wades Gap Road) and 1.60 miles north of Route 852 (Guthrie Road). Residents will have access to their homes, but through traffic cannot cross the bridge. A detour is in place.
ROUTE 748 CLOSED FOR PIPE WASHOUT – Due to storm damage, a pipe washout has closed Route 748 (Ferrum School Road) between Route 40 and Route 752. Repairs are pending. Detour signs are posted, and local access is maintained.
ROUTE 640 CLOSURE FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT – Route 640 (6 Mile Post Road) is closed for pipe installation. The structure is located 0.20 mile north of Route 795 and 0.30 mile south of Route 1033. A detour is in place via Route 756.
ROUTE 705 CLOSURE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Route 705 (Chestnut Hill Road) is closed for bridge replacement. The structure is 0.30 mile south of Route 714 and 1.30 miles north of Route 954. Alternate routes are needed.
CONNECTOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION CLOSES BRICK CHURCH ROAD – Brick Church Road is closed east of Route 696 (Pleasant Breeze Drive) for new road construction. Local traffic can access homes and businesses. Temporary signals and flaggers will control traffic. Once complete, the new 0.4-mile roadway will connect Brick Church Road and Commonwealth Parkway.
