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

***Exit 32 – safety project: A project to improve safety along a portion of Interstate 81 north and southbound at exit 32 in the Glade Spring area of Washington County begins Saturday (April 4), creating the need to close a lane northbound April 4 through noon April 10 to allow crews to mill, pave and add guardrail at the location. During the April 4 – 10 lane closure northbound, the northbound off ramp at exit 32 will be closed. Use caution in this area and be alert to the possibility of delays while improvements are being made. Once the northbound project is finished, crews will begin work southbound after the Easter holiday (April 12). (Completion: May 2020)

***Interstate 81 Exit 26 at Emory: A project to lengthen the acceleration/deceleration on southbound Interstate 81 exit 26 at Emory in Smyth County will begin after Easter (April 12). The first of two 56-hour lane closures will occur the week of April 13 to allow crews to remove the current shoulder down 18 inches and build it back to the current elevation. 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. 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 and the possibility of daytime lane closures on Route 11 beneath the interstate bridge. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: late 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, there will be a northbound lane closure from Monday (March 30) through Friday (April 3). The closure will allow crews the opportunity to switch traffic to the newly constructed bridge in the median of I-81. 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: Be alert to the following lane closures due to maintenance activities on Interstates 81 and 77 this week:

• Interstate 81
  • A 24/7 lane closure March 30 – April 10 on Interstate 81 southbound near exit 35 in the Chilhowie area due to bridge patching.
  • Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound at mile marker 36.7 in Smyth County; north and southbound near exit 29 in Washington County; and north and southbound near exit 3 in Bristol.
  • Daytime (8 a.m. until 2 p.m.) April 2 lane closure southbound between exits 86 and 84 due to sign repairs.

• Interstate 77
  • Nighttime lane closures at Interstate 77 at East River Mountain Tunnel due to rinsing of the tunnel walls. Wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel.

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, a portion of Route 638 in Buchanan County is down to one lane 2.6-miles west of Route 636 until repairs can be made. 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)

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 will begin controlling one-way traffic Monday (March 30). Use caution in this area and allow for slight travel delays. (Completion: fall 2021)

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: early April 2020) 

Route 682: The Route 682 bridge over Copper Creek in Scott County is closed for replacement. Motorists should be alert to detour signs while the bridge replacement project is underway. (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) 

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)  

Wise County

***Route 23 - Slide Repairs: The right lane of Route 23 is closed near its northern intersection with Route 823 (Old Indian Creek Road) in the Glamorgan area of Wise County due to a slide. Repair planning is underway. (Completion: spring 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)   (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.