VDOT News - Bristol

BRISTOL – In an effort to keep motorists informed, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides weekly information about highway construction and maintenance projects in southwestern Virginia. When traveling through highway work zones, use caution and be alert to changes in traffic patterns and slow-moving or stopped traffic.

To help motorists take the guesswork out of travel plans, call VDOT’s 511 or visit http://www.511virginia.org for real-time traffic information.

Entries with asterisks (***) indicate the listing is new or the status of the project has changed since last week’s traffic alert.

INTERSTATE PROJECTS

Interstate 81 bridges at Atkins: A project to replace the Interstate 81 bridges near mile marker 52 in the Atkins area of Smyth County is underway. Be alert to lane shifts and nighttime lane closures on the interstate, as well periodic lane closures on Route 11.  The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)

Interstate 81 bridge work at exit 19: Due to bridge work on Interstate 81 northbound at exit 19 in Abingdon (Washington County), be alert to overnight lane closures on I-81. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: early March 2020)

***Interstate 81 – bridges over Reed Creek: Be alert to an altered traffic pattern on Interstate 81 at the bridges over Reed Creek in Wythe County due to replacement of the bridges. The travel lanes are restricted to two, 11-foot-wide lanes with left and right shoulder closures. The bridges are located about one-mile north of the I-77 split at I-81 exit 81. Be advised the speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph, and the northbound lanes are restricted to two, 11-foot-wide travel lanes with the left and right shoulders closed. Allow extra travel time and watch out for workers. (Completion: Fall 2021)

Interstate 81 – bridges over Mulberry Lane: Due to the project to replace the Interstate 81 bridges over Route 686 (Mulberry Lane) in Smyth County near exit 50, the southbound lanes of I-81 have been moved to the newly constructed bridge portion in the median area. I-81 is restricted to two, 11-foot-wide lanes in each direction and the left and right shoulders are closed. Additionally, Mulberry Lane is closed underneath the interstate. Pay close attention to detour signs directing traffic around the closed portion of Mulberry Lane. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. Anticipate lane closures on I-81 during the overnight hours during construction. (Completion: Fall 2020)

***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, be the following lane closures due to maintenance activities:

• Nighttime lane closures northbound due to tunnel maintenance at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel Sunday through Wednesday nights. Wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel during the lane closures.
• Paving southbound during daytime hours Tuesday on I-81 southbound near mile marker 63 in Wythe County.
• Be alert to multiple shoulder closures along I-81 and I-77 due to maintenance activities such as debris removal and survey work.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Bland County

Route 666 bridge over I-77: Due to repairs to the Route 666 bridge over I-77 at exit 58 in Bland County, one-way traffic is being controlled by temporary traffic signals. Be alert to the possibility of delays. (Completion: early 2020)

Buchanan County

***Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: Construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A is underway in Buchanan County. Impacts on motorists are minimal because the majority of the work is on a new location; however, the project has created a permanent change for Route 614 (Woods Fork). Poplar Creek Phase A will split a portion of Route 614 and cul-de-sacs will be added on either end of Route 614 where it ends at the new highway, approximately 2.75 miles from Route 609 at Bull Creek and 1.25 miles from Route 604 at Poplar Creek. Access to the north and south ends of Route 614 will be via Routes 609 (Bull Creek Road) and 604 (Poplar Creek Road), respectively, which connect to Route 460 west of Grundy. 

Dickenson County

Route 611 widening: Work is underway to widen an approximately .20-mile section of Route 611 in Dickenson County, located about two miles from Route 742. Use caution in this area and be alert to flaggers directing traffic during daylight hours. (Completion: April 2020)

Scott County

Utility Installation: Be alert to utility installation work along Route 870 (Daniel Boone Road) and connecting secondary highways near Gate City.  The project is near the quarry pond and will extend westward to Route 789 (Sarah Circle). (Completion: February 2021)

Route 600 (Fairview Road): Be alert to water installation work and lane closures on Route 600 (Fairview Road) and connecting secondary routes in Scott County. (Completion: Fall 2020)

Utility Projects – various locations: Anticipate lane closures during daylight hours due to power line installation along U.S. Route 23 between Route 58 at Duffield and Route 625 (Anglers Way Road). (Completion: December 2019)

Route 23 bridge replacement at Weber City: Due to replacement of the Route 23 bridges over North Fork Holston River in the Weber City area of Scott County, motorists can expect one-lane traffic and a 12-foot-width restriction in each direction. The speed limit in the work zone is 35 mph. (Completion: winter/spring 2020)

Smyth County

Route 675 (Vipperman Hollow Road): Replacement of the Route 675 (Vipperman Hollow Road) wooden deck bridge deck with a concrete bridge deck is underway and the bridge is closed until November 11. Pay close attention to detour signs while work is underway. (Completion: November 11)

Route 658 (Tilley’s Bridge Road) bridge: Replacement of a portion of the Route 658 (Tilley’s Bridge Road) bridge over the South Fork Holston River in Smyth County is underway. Motorists should pay close attention to detour signs during the bridge project. (Completion: December 2020)

Tazewell County

Business Route 19 – bridge replacement: Due to replacement of the Business Route 19 bridge over the South Fork Clinch River in Tazewell, traffic is being detoured onto Ben Bolt Avenue while the replacement project is underway. (Completion: March 2020)

Washington County

***Route 611 (Garrett Creek Road): VDOT will close a portion of Route 611 (Garrett Creek Road) in Washington County November 4 – 25 to replace the bridge. The bridge is located in the center of the route, allowing motorists to use either end of Route 611 to detour during the project. Route 611 connects to Routes 700 and Route 19. (Completion: November 25)

Route 670 bridge replacement: The Route 670 (Green Spring Church Road) bridge in Washington County is closed for replacement. Route 658 (Lombardy Road) will serve as the detour route during construction. The bridge is located just east of Route 75. (Completion: fall 2019)

Wise County

Route 68 (Exeter Road): Delays during daylight hours are possible on Route 68 (Exeter Road) near Appalachia due to a sewer line installation project. (Completion: Summer 2020)

Completed

Route 652 (Main Knox Road) - Hurley:  Be alert to flagging operations due to widening of Route 652 in the Hurley area of Buchanan County.  The project is located 5 miles east of Route 706, and ends at the West Virginia State Line. (Completion: December 2019)    (END)

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.