The following is a list of forecasted highway projects that may impact traffic traveling in thelocal area of 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 – 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.
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. 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 walls can be installed for road crews to work behind. Barrier walls 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:
- UPCOMING LANE CLOSURES: 24-hour lane closures northbound are being scheduled for upcoming bridge repairs.
- 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.
o Northbound lane closures from I-81 mile marker 136 to 141.
o 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.
INTERSTATE 581
ROUTE 581 BRIDGE WORK OVER WILLIAMSON ROAD –Bridge work is underway on Route 11 (Williamson Road). Intermittent and alternating lane closures between the intersections with Rutherford Avenue and Wells Avenue are still possible. Intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures between the intersections above may still be required utilizing flagging operations. Any impacts to I-581 will be minimal. Expected completion Spring 2023.
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 6 a.m. Drivers should watch for moving vehicles and equipment. Expect possible delays.
I-77 BRIDGE DECK AND MAINTENANCE 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.
- Right and left lane closures in place on I-77 southbound, mile marker 13.5 to 12.5 over Route 702 and I-77 northbound, mile marker 11.5 to 12.7 over Route 702. Height restrictions are in place at 14’ 6”.
ROANOKE COUNTY
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 into 2023.
PULASKI COUNTY
ROUTE 709 (BURLEIGH HORTON ROAD) IMPROVEMENTS – A project to widen, resurface, and other general improvements on Route 709 (Burleigh Horton Road) from where the road begins at the intersection with Route 100 (Wysor Road) through the end at the intersection with Route 654 (Old Baltimore Road) is underway. Alternating single lane closures will be in place maintained by flagging operations. Expected completion is mid-summer 2023.
