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 counties.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
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 June 2022.
LANE CLOSURES: Through Friday, Sept. 10, alternating lane closures will be in place on I-81 northbound between mile marker 104-106 during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 5 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 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.
ROUTE 643 PAVING PROJECT – Beginning soon, exact date to be determined, a project is being scheduled to resurface an unpaved portion of Route 643 (Yellow Sulfur Road). The work area begins .7 mile south of the intersection with Route 642 (Jennelle Road) and ends 1.7 miles north of the bridge over Route 460. Traffic impacts will include intermittent flagging operations between these intersections. This project has an estimated completion date of May 2022.
LANE CLOSURES: Intermittent single lane closures utilizing flagging operations will be in place between the intersection of Teaberry Road and Jennelle Road.
ROUTE 11 BRIDGE DECK REPLACEMENT – Work is underway 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 is closed with a detour in place until the completion of the project. 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 expected completion date is November 2021.
TRAFFIC SWITCH: A new traffic pattern is in place detouring Route 11 southbound traffic through the left lane of Route 11 northbound between the intersections above, limiting each direction to a single lane.
ROUTE 636 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT AT SENECA HOLLOW – Work has begun replacing 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 is also 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 Fall 2021.
UTILITY WORK ON ROUTE 460 – MMI will be installing fiber optic along Route 460 from the Giles County line to the Floyd County line. This work will be ongoing. Motorists should expect shoulders and/or lane closures for travel in both directions.
VARIOUS ROADS FOR UTILITY WORK – Utility crews will be working on overhead lines along a general corridor alignment following Route 114 (Peppers Ferry), Route 460 Business (Franklin Street) and Route 11/460 (Roanoke Road). The work zone will span from the Pulaski/Montgomery county line to the Montgomery/Roanoke county line. In addition, various side roads will be impacted by intermittent closures for crossings. Motorists should expect shoulder closures and lane closures for travel in both directions. Intermittent full closures of the roads will be required for periods lasting no longer than 15 minutes. Work hours are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Advance warning for weekend work involving closures of primary highways on weekend mornings from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. will be provided via message boards once scheduled. Work is scheduled to last until Fall 2021.
INTERSTATE 81
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. Work will continue to be conducted within the median and shoulder within the barrier walls. Sound wall installation is underway. Weekday and weekend lane and shoulder closures may be in place. Estimated completion date of the project is Summer 2022.
Drivers should expect delays. 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. Message boards will alert drivers.
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: Alternating lane closures will be in place between mile marker 167 and 169 on northbound I-81 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, Sunday night to Friday morning.
I-81 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81. Between mile markers 141 and 143, 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
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.
ROUTE 581 BRIDGE WORK OVER WILLIAMSON ROAD – Work is underway to rehab the bridge on I-581 that crosses over Route 11 (Williamson Road) in Downtown Roanoke. On Route 11 (Williamson Road) drivers can expect intermittent and alternating lane closures between the intersections with Rutherford Avenue and Wells Avenue. Any impacts to I-581 will be minimal. The project is expected to be complete at the end of 2021.
A right lane closure may be in place on Route 11 northbound between the intersections of Rutherford Avenue and Wells Avenue periodically.
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 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will be performing paving operations along Interstate 77 between mile marker 24 and 0. Right and left lane closures may be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Drivers should watch for moving vehicles and equipment. Expect possible delays.
Milling and paving in both the right and left hand lanes of I-77 will require nightly lane closures southbound between mile marker 16 and 19 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday night to Friday mornings.
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 5 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
I-77 LANE & RAMP CLOSURES FOR 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 BRUSH REMOVAL & SHOULDER WORK – Weather permitting, crews will remove and clear brush and work on shoulders and slopes along I-77 northbound and southbound from mile marker 17 to 14 during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning. A left lane closure will be in place.
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 the traffic signal will be replaced at the intersection. Hollins Road will be widened from Orange Avenue to McDowell Avenue. Flaggers may be in place to direct traffic at the intersection of Orange and Hollins during daytime hours, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. All previous lane closures have been removed. Any future closures will be temporary and will be in place during nighttime hours. Estimated completion is October 2021.
ROANOKE COUNTY
ROUTE 220 SLOPE REPAIRS TO BEGIN IN ROANOKE COUNTY NEAR CROSSBOW CIRCLE INTERSECTION – Work to repair a slope along southbound Route 220 just south of its intersection with Route 1290 (Crossbow Circle) in Roanoke County is set to begin within the next few weeks. Heavy rains in recent years have caused debris and soil along this slope to move. Drivers can expect short-term lane closures with flaggers directing traffic on Crossbow Circle when construction equipment is being moved into the site. A shoulder closure along southbound Route 220 will be installed in the months ahead as work progresses. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be completed Fall 2021.
ROUTE 11 & ROUTE 117 INTERSECTION: PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS – Construction has begun on a pedestrian improvement project on Route 11 (Williamson Road). Work will take place .45 miles south of the intersection with Route 117 (Peters Creek Road) and will end at the intersection. The majority of the construction, phase one and two, will take place during daytime hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. The southbound lane of Williamson Road will be closed and traffic will be shifted into the center turn lane. The northbound lane will remain open. In addition, left turns will not be permitted into entrances from both southbound and northbound lanes within the work zone on Williamson Road. This pattern will remain in place through the first two phases of the project. During the third phase of the project, work will be performed with lane closures in place during night hours only, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Shoulder closures will be in place throughout the project with message boards to alert drivers. Expected to be completed in December 2021.
TRAFFIC SHIFT: Southbound traffic within the work zone on Williamson Road., south of the intersection with Peters Creek Road, will be shifted through the center lane during the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays.
ROUTE 11 NORTH (ROUTE 460 EAST) WEST MAIN STREET SIDEWALK PROJECT – Work is underway installing sidewalks and other pedestrian improvements on Route 11 North (Route 460 East). The location begins 0.012 mile east of the intersection with Technology Drive and will extend to the intersection with Route 643 (Garman Ave/Alleghany Drive). Lane closures and flagging operations are possible, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with limited closures allowed after 6 p.m. Expected completion is December 2021.
ROUTE 419 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT – Work for improvements on Route 419/Electric Road between Ogden Road and the Route 220 Expressway at Tanglewood Mall is underway. The work includes constructing a third lane along Southbound Route 419/Electric Road between Ogden Road and the Route 220 Expressway on ramp. There will be crosswalks added with pedestrian signals and modifications to the existing traffic signals. Sidewalks will be constructed along Northbound Route 419 and along Southbound Route 419 between Ogden Road and South Peak Drive. There will be new surface pavement placed and the pavement markings will be redone. The contractor continues to perform storm sewer and waterline pipe installation. Estimated completion is Fall 2021.
Daytime hours of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and nighttime hours of 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. will be in place for possible lane and shoulder closures.
A water main is being installed across Route 419. A single lane closure is in place in the eastbound and westbound lanes during nighttime hours, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., Monday through Thursdays. Paving of business entrances may occur during these nighttime hours as well.
ROUTE 220 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER BACK CREEK – Work to replace the existing bridge over Back Creek is under construction. The bridge is near the intersection of Route 657 (Crowell Gap Road and Winter Drive). There will be periodic left lane closures between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Route 220 southbound and northbound between Route 676 and Route 715. Route 220 southbound left shoulder will remain closed during this stage. Southbound traffic is on the newly constructed section of the bridge. The existing southbound bridge is being removed. Estimated project completion is Fall 2021.
CROSSOVER CLOSED: The Route 220 crossover at Crowell Gap Road and Winter Drive is closed and no left turns will be allowed during this stage.
LANE CLOSURE: There will be periodic left lane closures on Route 220 south and northbound between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. between Route 676 and Route 715.
BEDFORD COUNTY
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.
TRAFFIC SWITCH: Drivers can expect a new traffic pattern. Route 460 will be reduced to one lane in each direction and shifted into the westbound lanes. A median barrier will be installed to separate opposing lanes of traffic. The eastbound lanes of Route 460 will be closed. The lane width will be 11′ wide and barrier wall will be set at 14′ wide. This traffic switch is scheduled to be in place through late spring 2022 but efforts will be made to complete this portion of the project earlier if possible.
In addition, the Route 726 (Wilkerson Mill Road) intersection with eastbound Route 460 will also be closed. Drivers on Wilkerson Mill Road will be detoured to use Route 692 (Quarterwood Road) to access eastbound or westbound Route 460. This change will affect Misty Ridge residents.
ROUTE 460 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS – Construction is underway on a safety improvement project on Route 460 from Route 741 (Beale Trail Road) to Route 689 (Johnson School Road). Lane closures will be in place. This project includes shoulder widening, rumble strips and guardrail replacement or upgrade. Work will be performed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drivers should expect short-term stationary lane closures. The completion date is scheduled for Fall 2021.
ROUTE 122 UTILITY WORK – MMI will be installing fiber optic along 122 from the Franklin County line to the Town of Bedford line and Route 460 eastbound from the Town of Bedford to Alum Springs Road. This work will be ongoing. Motorists should expect shoulder or lane closures for travel in both directions. Intermittent slow rolls will be required for periods lasting no longer than 15 minutes.
ROUTE 746 CLOSURE OVER GOOSE CREEK – A section of Route 746 (Dickerson Mill Road) is closed to install a superstructure over Goose Creek. The closure is located 0.6 mile south of Route 691 (Robertson Road) and 6 miles north of Route 24. There will be a marked detour in place. The road is scheduled to be closed until December 2021.
ROUTE 644 (LANKFORD MILL ROAD) CLOSURE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Route 644 (Lankford Mill Road) remains closed for a bridge replacement project over Big Otter River. This closure is located 0.01 mile east of Route 673 (Benchmark Lane) and 0.50 mile west of Route 675 (Lizard Ridge Road). A nine mile detour remains in place so drivers should expect delays in travel times and plan accordingly. The project is expected to be completed in October 2021.
ROUTE 622 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Work to replace the bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railway on Route 622 (Everett Road) is underway. The bridge is closed. The closure is located 0.48 mile north of Route 1329 (West Crossing Drive) and 1.06 miles south of Route 646 (Gladden Circle). Since work is over the railway, strict requirements require work is stopped for passage of trains during work hours for safety purposes. 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 May 2022.
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 to 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, seven days per week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph throughout the project and may be reduced to 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.
TRAFFIC SWITCH:
Traffic is shifted to the new pavement on southbound Route 220 just north of South Chatham. Traffic will now be utilizing the southbound lane that includes a portion of the new alignment. Message boards will update traffic.
FLAGGING OPERATIONS:
24-hour a day, 7-days a week flagging operations are in place throughout the project. Multiple traffic shifts between Route 722 (Chatham Road south) and Route 696 (Locust Bottom Road/Buhrman Road).
Flagger operations will be in place periodically from Route 43 (Narrow Passage Road) to Route 694 (Gala Loop South), 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., until further notice.
CARROLL COUNTY
ROUTE 703 BRIDGE CLOSURE – Route 703 (Gardner’s Road) is closed for a bridge maintenance project over Little Reed Island Creek located 0.45 miles from Route 959 and 0.55 miles from Route 960. Detours will be in place and signs will be posted to assist drivers in the area. The road is scheduled to reopen on Sept. 17, 2021.
ROUTE 58W Bridge Replacement – Beginning in early September, work will begin to replace the bridge on Route 58W over Crooked Creek. The bridge is located between the intersections with Route 822 (Fieldview Road) and Route 887 (Glendale Road). Initially, the project will focus on constructing crossovers between the above-mentioned intersections with intermittent and temporary single lane closures in place. Once the crossovers are complete, Route 58W will be temporarily detoured through the left lane of Route 58E, limiting travel in each direction to a single lane. The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2022.
CRAIG COUNTY
None at this time.
FLOYD COUNTY
ROUTE 8 UTILITY WORK – MMI will be installing fiber optic along Route 8 (from the Montgomery County line to the Town of Floyd line). This work will be ongoing. Motorists should expect shoulder or lane closures for travel in both directions. Intermittent lane closures will be required for periods lasting no longer than 15 minutes.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
ROUTE 122 at ROUTE 636 ROUNDABOUT – Crews are constructing a roundabout from 0.161 mile south of Route 636 to 0.090 mile south of Route 636. There will be periodic flagging between 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and possibly after 6 p.m. The scheduled completion date is May 2022.
ROUTE 834 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS – Construction is underway on Route 834 (Brooks Mill Road) from Route 670 (Burnt Chimney Road) to Route 616 (Scruggs Road) for safety improvements to include widening shoulders, adding rumble strips and guardrail as well as removing trees and brush to improve sight distance. Flagging operations will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work will be scheduled to avoid impacting morning or afternoon traffic at nearby Dudley Elementary School. The estimated completion date is May 2022.
ROUTE 718 PIGG RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – A section of Route 718 (Colonial Turnpike) is currently 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 is in place and signs will direct traffic. The road will be closed until December 2021.
GILES COUNTY
None at this time.
HENRY COUNTY
ROUTE 1163 CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC – A portion of Route 1163 (Creekside Drive) is closed to through traffic from .05 mile from Route 684 (Carver Road) and .50 mile from Route 684 (Carver Road) for a bridge maintenance project. During this time, traffic will be directed to the intersection closest to the quarry and directional signs will be in place to assist the traveling public. Weather permitting, the road will reopen to traffic on Friday, Sept.10, 2021.
PATRICK COUNTY
ROUTE 58 LOVER’S LEAP PROJECT – Construction is underway in the Lover’s Leap area of Route 58. Estimated completion date is May 2026.
ROUTE 57 UTILITY WORK – Intermittent work will be performed by contractors for Comcast along Route 57 from Route 8 to Route 701. This is expected to be a 90-day installation project. Motorists may experience periodic lane and/or shoulder closures.
PULASKI COUNTY
VARIOUS ROADS FOR UTILITY WORK – Utility crews will be working on overhead lines along a general corridor alignment following Route 11 (Lee Highway) and Route 114 (Peppers Ferry). The work zone will span from the Wythe/Pulaski county line to the Pulaski/Montgomery county line. In addition, various side roads will be impacted by intermittent closures for crossings. Motorists should expect shoulder closures and lane closures for travel in both directions. Intermittent full closures of the roads will be required for periods lasting no longer than 15 minutes. Work hours are scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Advance warning for weekend work involving closures of primary highways on weekend mornings from 6 a.m.to 10 a.m. will be provided via message boards once scheduled. Work is scheduled to last until Fall 2021.
