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

***I-77 bridges over Cove Creek: Be alert to workers placing work zone signs along Interstate 77 near the bridges over Cove Creek in Wythe County due to an upcoming project to replace the bridges. The bridges are located about two miles north of Interstate 81. When work begins, motorists can expect an altered traffic pattern on southbound I-77. (Completion: early 2023)

Interstate 81 – paving: Be alert to periodic lane closures due to paving on I-81 northbound between exits 67 and 70 in the Wytheville area of Wythe County from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. nightly Sunday through Wednesday nights.

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 shoulder closures through the work zone and the possibility of lane closures on Route 11 beneath the bridges. The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)

Interstate 81 – bridges over Reed Creek: Due to replacement of the Interstate 81 bridges over Reed Creek in Wythe County, be alert to altered traffic patterns in the work zone. Traffic is restricted to two 11-foot-wide lanes with no shoulder. The bridges are located about one-mile north of the I-77 split at I-81 exit 81. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. Allow extra travel time and watch out for workers. (Completion: Fall 2021)

***Interstate 81 – bridges over Mulberry Lane: Traffic is now traveling on the new I-81 north and southbound bridges over Route 686 (Mulberry Lane) in Smyth County near exit 50. However, in the coming weeks be alert to periodic lane closures southbound for final paving. Mulberry Lane is closed underneath the interstate. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: November 2020)

***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, be alert to the following activities along Interstates 81 and 77:

Interstate 81

• Nighttime mobile lane closures on I-81 north and southbound between Bristol and Glade Spring in Washington County and northbound between Glade Spring and the Wythe/Pulaski County line due to work to apply pavement markings.
• Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound near mile marker 48 and southbound near exit 45 in the Marion area of Smyth County

Interstate 77

• Nighttime lane closures at East River Mountain Tunnel located at the Virginia/West Virginia line due to rinsing of the tunnel walls. Wide loads over 12-feet must stop before entering the tunnel when the nighttime lane closure is present.
  

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Buchanan County

***Route 83 – retaining wall repairs: Signals are controlling traffic on Route 83 in Buchanan County at the intersection of Route 716 due to retaining wall repairs. Use caution in this area and pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: September 2020)

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.

Grayson County

Route 16 – bridge repairs: Temporary traffic signals are controlling one-way traffic on Route 16 in the Mouth of Wilson area due to bridge repairs. Use caution in this area and be alert to workers. (Completion: late November 2020)

Lee County

Route 58 improvements: A project to install rumble strips and widening shoulders along Route 58 in Lee County is underway. The project is located between Route 70 and the intersection of Route 604. Be alert to workers and signs. (Completion: summer 2020)

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

***Alternate Route 58 – mowing: This week, be alert to mowing operations during daylight hours on Alternate Route 58 in Russell County. Pay close attention to slow moving vehicles and signs warning motorists.

Route 80 from Rosedale to the Buchanan County Line: Be alert to a shoulder closure on Route 80 between Rosedale to the Buchanan County line, through the town of Honaker, due to work installing paved shoulders, rumble strips and line striping along the shoulder. Rumble strips are a safety enhancement that change the noise a vehicle’s tires make on the road, alerting drivers they are veering off the roadway. (Completion: November 2020)

Route 779 (Davis Hankins Lane) – roadway improvements: Be alert to flaggers and the possibility of delays along Route 779 (Davis Hankins Lane) in the Belfast Community of Russell County due to roadway improvements. (Completion: early October 2020)

Scott County

***Route 23 access improvements/Park and Ride: The project to improve access along a section of Route 23 in the Moccasin Gap area of Scott County begins this week. The project also includes adding a Park and Ride lot near the intersection of Route 23 and Route 619 (Filter Plant Road). Be alert to a 24/7 southbound lane closure being implemented in the coming weeks. Pay close attention to work zones and watch for workers. Allow extra travel time, especially during morning and afternoon hours when commuter traffic volumes are high. (Completion: Summer 2021)

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)

 

Tazewell County

Route 19 (Virginia Avenue) bridge over Wrights Valley Creek (Bluefield): Be alert to an altered traffic pattern on Route 19 at the bridge over Wrights Valley Creek near Bluefield due to reconstruction of the bridge. Use caution in the area and pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: July 2021)

Route 783 – road improvements: Be alert to periodic delays on Route 783 in Tazewell County due to ditching, drainage and pavement improvements. (Completion: late September 2020)

Washington County

***Route 717 (Robinson Road) – bridge replacement: Due to replacement of the Route 717 (Robinson Road) bridge over Sinking Creek in Washington County, a portion of the route will be closed from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m Tuesday, September 22. Additionally, the road will also be closed the morning of September 23 for paving at the bridge. The bridge is located near the intersection of Route 663 (Golden View Drive). (Completion: September 23, 2020)

Wise County

Route 23 – median shoulder improvements: Be alert to lane closures on Route 23 between Norton and Duffield due to a project to improve the median shoulder area. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: October 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)  

Completed

Intersection of Routes 83/63 – bridge repairs: The bridge repair project at the intersection of Routes 83 and 63 in Dickenson County is complete.

Route 11 improvements: A project to install rumble strips and upgrade guardrail along Route 11 in Washington County is complete.

Route 777: The project to perform ditching, drainage and pavement improvements along Route 777 in Tazewell County is complete.

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.