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 exit 45 northbound on ramp: Due to waterline repairs, the Town of Marion will close a lane of Route 16 southbound and the northbound on ramp onto I-81 Monday through Wednesday (April 27-29). Use caution in this area and pay close attention to signs and workers.

Interstate 81 Exit 26 at Emory: Be alert to shoulder closures along I-81 southbound at exit 26 in the Emory area of Washington County due to a project to extend the acceleration/deceleration lanes for the southbound on and off ramps. The majority of activities for the project will occur along VDOT’s right of way; however, motorists should be alert to workers and heavy equipment in the area. (Completion: late June 2020)

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. Also be alert to shoulder closures through the work zone. The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)

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, be alert to traffic shifts in the work zone. This week, be alert to a southbound left lane closure in the work zone from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m. Monday and Tuesday (April 20 and 21). 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 maintenance activities: Be alert to the following lane closures along Interstates 81 and 77 this week: Interstate 81

• A 24/7 lane closure through late April is in place on Interstate 81 southbound near exit 35 in the Chilhowie area due to bridge patching.
• Daytime bridge deck repairs northbound near mile marker 36 in the Chilhowie area of Smyth County.
• Daytime lane closures due to pothole patching northbound in the Fort Chiswell area of Wythe County and north and southbound between Bristol and Emory in Washington County.

Interstate 77

• Daytime lane closures north and southbound at Big Walker Mountain and East River Mountain tunnels due to maintenance activities. Wide loads over 12-feet must stop before entering the tunnel if the lane closure is in place.
• Daytime lane closures southbound near exit 58 in Bland County due to bridge maintenance.
• Daytime bridge deck repairs Monday northbound at mile marker 54 in Bland County.
• Daytime bridge deck repairs Thursday northbound near exit 69 in Bland County.
• Daytime bridge deck repairs Tuesday northbound between exits 62 and 64 in Bland County.
• Daytime pothole patching Thursday near exit 24 and the bridge over the New River in Wythe County.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Bland County

Route 607 (Burton’s Pond Road): The Route 607 (Burton’s Pond Road) bridge over Kimberling Creek in Bland County is closed until June 10 to allow crews to replace the bridge. The bridge is located 1.5 miles from Route 606 (Wilderness Road) and 1.15 miles from Route 680 (Price Ridge Road). (Completion: June 2020) 

Buchanan County

***Slide Repairs: Due to recent flooding, be alert to slide repairs on Route 460 in the Big Rock area of Buchanan County, approximately one-mile west of Route 700 and 1.3 miles east of Route 645. There is a temporary detour in place using nearby Routes 700 and 645. Pay close attention to signs directing traffic in this area. (Completion: May 2020)

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: A portion of Route 615 (Hoot Owl Street) in Buchanan County closed in late January and will remain closed until approximately late July. The closure will ensure safety during construction of a portion of the Route 460/121 Poplar Creek A construction project. The closure will be located on Route 615 between its intersection at Route 604 (Poplar Creek Rd.) and Dogpound Rd. Detour routes during the closure are Routes 604 (Poplar Creek Rd.) and 617 (Little Prater Rd.), or to Vansant via Route 83 (Lovers Gap Rd.).

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

Slide repairs: Due to recent flooding, portions of the following routes in Dickenson County are down to one lane or closed until repairs can be made in the coming months:

• Route 614 (Cow Path Road) is closed 0.15 mile south of Route 739 (Completion: April 2020)
• Route 605 (Sandlick River Road) has one lane closed 0.65 mile west of Buchanan County line. (Completion: early May 2020)

Grayson County

Route 21 shoulder widening/rumble strip project: Be alert to the possibility of lane closures on Route 21 in Wythe County and Grayson County between Wytheville Corporate Limits to Independence Corporate Limits due to shoulder widening and the installation of rumble strips to enhance safety along the highway. (Completion: spring 2020)

Lee County

Route 58 bridge over the Powell River: Due to replacement of the Route 58 bridge over the Powell River near Jonesville in Lee County, signals are controlling one-way traffic across the bridge. Use caution in this area and allow for slight travel delays. (Completion: fall 2021)

Russell County

***Route 80 – slide repairs: Due to slide repairs, a portion of Route 80 in Russell County will be closed between the Channels parking area and Corn Valley from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday (April 27) through Saturday (May 2). During daylight hours, workers will be posted at the beginning and end of the project during daylight hours to assist property owners along the closure with access during the closure.

Scott County

Slide Repairs: Be alert to slide repairs along Route 638 in Scott County, closing the route at the intersection of Route 58 through April 1. Route 58 will not be affected by the closure. Pay close attention to signs directing motorists around the area. (Completion: Spring 2020)

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 600 (Fairview Road) and Route 625 (Angler’s Way). (Completion: Summer 2020)

Smyth County

***Route 16 – shoulder repairs: This week, be alert to the possibility of lane closures and flaggers along Route 16 between the corporate limits of Marion and Route 622 in Smyth County due to shoulder repairs. (Completion: early May 2020)

***Route 16 – waterline repairs: Due to waterline repairs, the Town of Marion will close a lane of Route 16 southbound and the northbound on ramp onto I-81 Monday through Wednesday (April 27-29). Use caution in this area and pay close attention to signs and workers.

Tazewell County

Slide Repairs: Due to recent flooding, be alert to slide repairs on the following routes:

• Route 624 (Amonate Road) in Tazewell County, just south of the intersection of Route 643. Be alert to guardrail work and other finishing work taking place this week (Completion: April 2020)
• Route 16 in Tazewell County, north of Roaring Fork Road and south of Route 602. Be alert to daytime lane closures with flaggers and signals controlling one-way traffic at night. (Completion: mid-May 2020)

Washington County *

**Route 75: This week, be alert to the possibility of lane closures and workers along a portion of Route 75 near the Abingdon area due to latex paving.  The work will take place between the Abingdon corporate limits and Route 672 in Washington County. (Completion: April 2020)  

***Route 91: This week, be alert to the possibility of lane closures and workers along Route 91 between Damascus and Meadowview in Washington County due to latex paving. (Completion: April 2020)

Wise County

***Route 23 - Slide Repairs: This week, be alert to one-lane traffic due to guardrail installation and shoulder work along a portion of Route 23 southbound in the Glamorgan area of Wise County. This work follows extensive slide repairs during the majority of April. Motorists are advised to use caution in this area and be alert to signage directing traffic through the work zone. (Completion: April 2020)

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)  

Wythe County

***Route 21 shoulder widening/rumble strip project: Be alert to the possibility of lane closures on Route 21 in Wythe County and Grayson County between Wytheville Corporate Limits to Independence Corporate Limits due to shoulder widening and the installation of rumble strips to enhance safety along the highway. (Completion: spring 2020)  

Completed

Exit 32 – safety project: The project to improve safety near Interstate 81 exit 32 in Washington County is complete. 

Route 682: Replacement of the Route 682 bridge over Copper Creek in Scott County is complete.   (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.