The following is a list of forecasted highway projects that may impact traffic traveling in the 12-county Salem Transportation District this week. Work schedules and construction project timelines are always subject to change and weather dependent. The Salem District covers Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, and Roanoke.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
ROUTE 11 BRIDGE DECK REPLACEMENT – Work has begun on Route 11 southbound to replace the bridge deck over the Norfolk Southern Railroad. The bridge is located .4 miles north of the intersection with Route 748 (Big Spring Drive) and .4 mile south of the intersection with Route 603 (North Fork Road). The left lane of both Route 11 north and south are closed until the completion of the project. Route 11 South will experience intermittent left lane closures as crossovers are prepared for an eventual detour. Once in place, the detour will re-route Route 11 south traffic through the left lane of Route 11 north, limiting each direction to a single lane. The detour will be in place until the completion of the project. The expected completion date is November 2021.
ROUTE 636 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AT SENECA HOLLOW – Work is underway to replace the bridge on Route 636 over the Roanoke River at Seneca Hollow. A road closure is in place from Echo Hills Road to .36 mile south of Route 460. A detour will be in place. The detour will restrict access to Route 460 at Seneca Hollow and will require travelers to enter/exit Route 460 at Friendship Road near Wheeling Hollow. The project is expected to be completed in late June 2021.
ROUTE 685 TURN LANE CONSTRUCTION – Turn lane construction on Route 685 (Prices Fork Road) between Route 1145 (Stratford View Drive) and Route 654 (Brooksfield Road) is underway. Motorists should expect daily shoulder closures with intermittent lanes closures controlled by flagging forces. Work will be performed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Completion is spring 2021.
WATERLINE CONSTRUCTION – Construction of a waterline along Route 659 (Vicker Switch Road), Route 719 (Switchback Road), Route 660 (Crab Creek Road), and Route 661 (Chrisman Mill Road) includes shoulder closures and lane closures. The work is expected to be completed in February 2021.
INTERSTATE 81
INTERSTATE 81 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS AT S-CURVES IN BOTETOURT COUNTY – A project to improve the S-curves along southbound I-81 in Botetourt County between mile markers 167.4 and 169.5 is underway. This project will enhance safety and improve vehicle traction. Work includes repaving the travel lanes, applying new pavement markers and installing underground pavement drains. Nighttime lane closures will be in place and the speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph in the work zone. This project also includes permanently closing and removing the southbound off ramp at exit 167 (Buchanan) to reduce speed differentials, conflict points and lane changes associated with exiting vehicles. The estimated completion date is summer 2021.
INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION EXIT 141 TO EXIT 143 – A project to widen the lanes on I-81 in Roanoke in both northbound and southbound directions between Exit 141 to Exit 143 has begun. Installation of construction signs is taking place along with surveys and clearing operations. Work may be conducted within the median and barrier walls are being put in place. Weekday and weekend lane and shoulder closures may be in place for guardrail removal, shoulder wedging and paving. A left lane closure will be in place on I-81 northbound or southbound during nighttime hours from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. while equipment and materials are brought into and out of the median. Estimated completion date of the project is summer of 2022.
Weather permitting, drivers can expect a left lane closure on northbound and southbound I-81, 8 p.m. at night until 6 a.m. the following morning from exit 140 to 143.
I-81 at Route 640, a one lane flagging operation will be in place from Route 799 to Route 798 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
I-81 NORTHBOUND AT EXIT 105 NEW RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY – 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 104 to 106 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. 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 late 2021.
I-81 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AT EXIT 114 IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY – The bridge replacement of the two Interstate 81 bridges over Route 8, northbound and southbound, is underway. Drivers can expect alternating lane and shoulder closures, northbound and southbound, from mile marker 114 to 115. Exit 114 ramp shoulder closures will be ongoing from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Speed limit is reduced to 60 mph in the work zone. Route 8 will have alternating northbound and southbound shoulder and lane closures, day or night, as needed between the I-81 on and off ramps. A temporary traffic signal will direct traffic on Route 8 throughout the duration of the project. Access to all properties will be maintained during construction. Estimated completion is summer 2021.
DMV Notice: The bridge on I-81 northbound at mile marker 114 currently has a restricted width for wide loads of 26 feet or larger.
I-81 PAVING & MARKING OPERATIONS – Paving operations are being performed throughout the district.
POTHOLE PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will patch potholes along 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.
I-81 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81. Between mile markers 97 and 162, 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-581/220 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 DECK 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.
INTERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)
I-77 LANE & RAMP CLOSURES FOR PAVING AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS IN CARROLL COUNTY– Weather permitting, crews will be milling, paving and performing maintenance along Interstate 77. Right and left lane closures will be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours. Drivers should expect possible delays.
I-77 POTHOLE PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will patch potholes along Interstate 77. Right and left lane closures will be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during daytime hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers should watch for moving vehicles and equipment. Expect possible delays.
I-77 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 77. Right and left lane closures may be in place northbound or southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
ROANOKE CITY
ROUTE 460 (ORANGE AVENUE) INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS – Intersection improvements on Orange Avenue and Hollins Road are underway. Turn lanes will be extended on Orange Avenue and a new traffic signal will be replaced at the intersection. Hollins Road will be widened from Orange Avenue to McDowell Avenue. On Hollins Road and McDowell Avenue, all lanes of traffic will remain open during peak hours, Monday through Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Single lane closures will be allowed during non-peak hours with flagging operations. Nighttime lane closures may be in place during the week and weekends on Orange Avenue. Estimated completion is fall 2021.
ROANOKE COUNTY
ROUTE 221 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT WITH BOX CULVERT OVER MARTINS CREEK – Work is underway at the existing bridge on Route 221 over Martins Creek that will be replaced with a box culvert at the intersection with Route 696 (Martins Creek Rd). Paving of the roadway over the new precast box culvert is underway and once it is complete, traffic will be switched back onto the road over the new box culvert. The speed limit has been temporarily reduced to 35 MPH in the work area. Flagging operations will be in place as needed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Estimated completion is fall 2021.
ROUTE 419 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – Construction on a 0.5-mile section of Route 419 (Electric Road) in front of Tanglewood Mall is underway. The project includes improvements to alleviate congestion and provide safer accommodations for bikers and pedestrians. Throughout the life of the project on Route 419, drivers should expect barrels and shoulder closures and nighttime lane closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. Access to some businesses with nighttime hours may be modified at times during construction. For additional information on traffic impacts, visit http://www.virginiadot.org/Route419tanglewood. The project is expected to be completed in fall 2021.
ROUTE 220 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER BACK CREEK – Work to replace the existing bridge over Back Creek is under construction. There will be right shoulder closures on Route 220 in the north bound lane between Route 715 and Route 676. The bridge is near the intersection of Route 657 (Crowell Gap Road and Winter Drive). Weather permitting, there will be right lane closures between the hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Route 220 northbound lane between Route 715 and Route 676. The right, northbound shoulder will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. until further notice. Estimated completion is late 2021.
Traffic traveling southbound has been switched onto the new bridge and the previous southbound bridge is currently being removed.
Periodic left lane closures will be in place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Route 220 northbound and southbound between Route 715 and Route 676.
The Route 220 crossover at Crowell Gap Road and Winter Drive is closed and no left turns will be allowed at this intersection.
BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSURE – While the Blue Ridge Parkway makes repairs to slope failures, detour signs will detour traffic around the Bent Mountain section of the Parkway. Traffic will be rerouted onto Route 220 south to Route 419 north to Route 221 south. Those traveling north, will use the reverse of this detour. Detour signage will be attached to existing VDOT signage and will be in place through June 2021.
BEDFORD COUNTY
VARIOUS INTERSECTION CLOSURES – On Thursday, Jan. 7, between the hours of 7 p.m. and 2 a.m., drivers can expect lane closures at intersections throughout the county to be impacted for inspection activities. Virginia State Police will assist.
ROUTE 622 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Work to replace the bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railway on Route 622 (Everett Road) has begun. This closure will be located 0.48 mile north of Route 1329 (West Crossing Drive) and 1.06 miles south of Route 646 (Gladden Circle). A signed detour will be in place. Drivers traveling from the south end of the bridge will use Route 811 (Thomas Jefferson Road) to Route 221 South (Forest Road) to Route 646 (Gladden Circle) to Route 622 (Everett Road) Drivers traveling north will use Route 646 (Gladden Circle) to Route 221 North (Forest Road) to Route 811 (Thomas Jefferson Road) back to Route 622 (Everett Road). The road is scheduled to be closed until spring 2022.
ROUTE 460 S-CURVE REALIGNMENT – Work has begun to realign 1.4 miles of the eastbound lanes of Route 460 in Bedford County near Montvale, about eight miles west of Bedford and approximately 2.3 miles east of Montvale. Eastbound and westbound Route 460 is reduced to one lane. Drivers can expect the speed limit in both directions of Route 460 to be reduced to 45 mph. In addition, there will be alternating long-term, single lane closures on westbound and eastbound Route 460. Message boards will be posted to alert drivers of upcoming lane closures and traffic pattern changes. Completion is expected in summer 2022.
ROUTE 460 CROSSOVER CLOSURE –The median crossover on Route 460 near Montvale located at Route 726 (Wilkerson Mill Road) is closed until summer or fall of 2021. Drivers will not be able to turn left from Wilkerson Mill Road onto westbound Route 460. This will primarily impact Misty Ridge Lane residents. Drivers can still turn right onto eastbound Route 460 and make a U-turn to proceed westbound. Motorists can also use Route 691 (Quarterwood Road) as an alternative route to access westbound Route 460.
ROUTE 122 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER GOOSE CREEK – Work is underway for a bridge replacement project on Route 122 (Moneta Road) over Goose Creek. As part of the project, other improvements include wider paved shoulders, road realignment, wider space between lanes, edge line rumble strips and raised centerline pavement markers, and improving the turning radius from Route 801 onto Route 122 to create better sight distance. The bridge replacement will be performed alongside the existing bridge and once the new bridge is complete, traffic will be switched to the new bridge so the old can be removed. Drivers should expect delays in the area for periodic flagging, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and possible slow rolls for placement of piers. Estimated completion is 2021.
ROUTE 122 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER BIG OTTER RIVER – Construction is underway for a bridge replacement on Route 122 over Big Otter River. The bridge is located from 0.232 mile south of the intersection at Route 640 to 0.072 mile north of the intersection at Route 640. Drivers can expect both lanes of traffic will remain open during most of the bridge’s construction. Occasional short-term lane closures with flagging operations may be in place to construct portions of the new bridge. The completion date is scheduled for June 2022.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
ROUTE 220 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN EAGLE ROCK – The project is underway. Flagging operations will be in place on Route 220, north and southbound lanes between Eagle Rock and Iron Gate, 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., seven days per week. 24-hour flagging operations may be in place periodically. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph throughout the project. and 35 miles per hour just south of Route 622 (Prices Bluff Road) and just north of Route 722 (Chatham Road). No wide loads are permitted through the area. Drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay close attention through the work zone due to curves and minimal site distance. Drivers should watch for signs. Work is estimated to be completed fall 2021.
FLAGGING OPERATIONS:
A 24-hour one lane flagger operation will be in place periodically from Route 43 (Narrow Passage Road) to Route 694 (Gala Loop South) until further notice.
A 24-hour one lane flagger operation will be installed the first week of January from Route 622N (Gala Loop) to Route 696 (Buhrman Road).
A 24-hour one lane flagger operation will be installed January 4 through January 8, from Route 694N (Gala Loop) to Route 722 (Chatman Road).
CARROLL COUNTY
None at this time.
CRAIG COUNTY
None at this time.
FLOYD COUNTY
ROUTE 221 UTILITY WORK – Utility work has multiple work zones in place on Route 221 (South Floyd Highway) for the installation of underground utilities between Route 722 (Long Level Road) and the Floyd/Carroll county line. Motorists should expect shoulder closures and lane closures for travel in both directions. Intermittent full closures of the highway will be required for periods lasting no longer than 15 minutes.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
ROUTE 788 CLOSURE – A section of Route 788 (Dry Hill Road) is closed to traffic as an emergency closure due to washout. This closure is located from .63 mile north of Route 637 (Brandy Oak Road) to Route 788 (Buffalo Ridge Road). The road is scheduled to be closed until Jan. 15, 2021.
ROUTE 718 PIGG RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – A section of Route 718 (Colonial Turnpike) is closed for a bridge replacement. The bridge is located over the Pigg River, 0.50 mile north of Route 715 (Chestnut Mountain Road) and 1.00 mile south of Route 646 (Doe Run Road). A detour will be in place. The road will be closed until November 2021.
ROUTE 122 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Route 122 (Booker T Washington Highway) will be under a flagging operation during daytime hours for a bridge replacement project over Blackwater River. The bridge is located between Route 40 and the intersection with Angle Plantation Road. There may be traffic restrictions and intermittent flagging operations from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for the next several weeks. The project is expected to be completed at the end of January 2021.
GILES COUNTY
None at this time.
HENRY COUNTY
ROUTE 460 UTILITY WORK – MMI will have ongoing intermittent lane closures to install fiber along 460 westbound and 460 eastbound from Glen Lyn to Narrows.
PATRICK COUNTY
None at this time.
PULASKI COUNTY
None at this time.
