Bristol District Weekly Traffic Alert: April 20 - 26, 2026

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 https://511.vdot.virginia.gov for real-time traffic information.

Entries with (NEW) or (UPDATE) indicate revisions from last week’s report.

INTERSTATE PROJECTS

Interstate 81 – Exit 45 deceleration lane extension (Smyth County): A project to extend the deceleration lane at exit 45 northbound in the Marion area of Smyth County is underway. The project includes replacing the northbound I-81 bridge over Matson Drive. Be alert to periodic nighttime lane closures and shifted traffic over Matson Drive. (Completion: December 2027)

Interstate 81 – Widening (Washington County): A project to widen I-81 southbound between exits 10 and 7 in Washington County, as well as widening approximately one mile of northbound I-81 from exit 7 to the north, is underway. (Completion: April 2026)

Interstate 81 - Route 11 widening at exit 5 (Bristol): The City of Bristol is widening a portion of Route 11 and the I-81 southbound and northbound off ramps at exit 5 to enhance traffic flow and safety. Improvements to intersections and traffic signals are included. (Completion: May 2026)

(UPDATE) Interstate 81 – Bridge rehabilitation at mile marker 68 (Wythe County) – Due to a bridge rehabilitation project on I-81 north and southbound over Reed Creek at mile marker 68 in Wythe County, be alert to periodic extended lane closures and a width restriction of 14 feet. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: September 2027)

Interstate 81 – Roadway improvements (Wythe County): A project is underway to construct an auxiliary lane southbound between exits 73 and 72. Be alert to periodic lane closures in this area. (Completion: Fall 2026)

Interstate 77 – Truck climbing lane (Wythe County): Construction is underway on a truck climbing lane on I-77 northbound from mile marker 30.6 to exit 32 in Wythe County. Be alert to traffic pattern changes, signs and message boards. (Completion: May 2026)

Interstate 81/77 interchange at Wytheville: Due to improvements on I-81 and I-77 at the interchange at Wytheville, pay close attention to signs and message boards. Be alert to possible lane restrictions and traffic shifts due to drainage work. (Completion: Summer 2027)

(UPDATE) Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: Be alert to the following lane closures due to interstate maintenance activities:

Interstate 81

• Nighttime bridge deck repairs north and southbound between exit 67 and mile marker 69 in Wythe County.
• Daytime pothole patching and roadway sweeping north and southbound from the Virginia/Tennessee state line to exit 26 in Washington County.
• Daytime paving operations northbound between mile markers 57 and 59 in Wythe County.
• Daytime shoulder repairs northbound at exit 22 in Washington County.
• Nighttime roadway sweeping north and southbound from mile marker 74 to exit 84 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime bridge inspection work northbound between mile markers 75 and 76 in Wythe County.
• Daytime brush removal northbound at the exit 13 on ramp in Washington County. A partial ramp closure will be in place for the northbound on ramp.
• Daytime paving operations southbound near mile marker 62 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime paving operations southbound from the Virginia/Tennessee state line to exit 1 in Bristol.
• Nighttime bridge inspection work southbound between mile markers 76 and 75 in Wythe County.
• A super load will travel northbound from Bristol to West Virginia April 20 - 25.

Interstate 77

• Nighttime tunnel washing north and southbound at East River Mountain Tunnel in Bland County. All wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel.
• Daytime blasting operations southbound between exits 41 and 47 in Wythe County. Slow rolls will take place between 10 a.m. and noon. The exit 40 southbound on ramp will be blocked.
• Daytime shoulder repairs north and southbound between exit 24 and mile marker 33 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime roadway sweeping north and southbound between exit 24 and mile marker 33 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime bridge inspection work north and southbound between mile markers 43 and 44 in Wythe County.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH-TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Bland County

Route 608 (Skydusky Road) bridge superstructure replacement: Route 608 (Skydusky Road) is closed due to a bridge superstructure replacement located 0.65 miles from Route 42 and 0.06 miles from Route 604 (Walker’s Creek Road) in Bland County. Motorists should be alert to signs and message boards. (Completion: August 2026)

Buchanan County

Route 1003 (Walnut Street) Culvert Replacement: Route 1003 (Walnut Street) is closed due to a culvert replacement project located near Route 1004 (New House Branch Road) in Buchanan County. Route 83 is serving as the detour route for the duration of the project. (Completion: May 2026)

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B: Be alert to a new traffic pattern on Route 460 at Grundy due to the construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B. The switch is approximately 1.1 miles west of the Route 460/Route 83 (Riverside Drive/Edgewater Drive) intersection in Grundy. Motorists should be alert to flaggers in the area. (Completion: late 2027)

Dickenson County

Route 83 Roundabout at Route 637: Construction is underway for a roundabout and a new park and ride lot at the intersection of Route 83 and Route 637 in Dickenson County. Be alert to lane shifts and closures. Pay attention to flaggers, signs, and message boards in the area. (Completion: October 2026)

Route 619 (Skeetrock Road) Bridge Repairs: Repairs are underway on the Route 619 (Skeetrock Road) bridge over Pound River in Dickenson County, between Routes 607 and 695. The project includes using temporary traffic signals to control one-way traffic. Pay close attention to temporary construction signs. (Completion: June 2026)

Russell County

(NEW) Route 19 median drainage work – Be alert to a southbound left lane closure on Route 19 at the intersection of Route 782 (Music Fest Road) in Russell County due to median drainage work. (Completion: April 24)

(NEW) Route 71 shoulder work: Be alert to temporary lane closures due to shoulder work on Route 71 between Alternate Route 58 and Route 645 (Jesse’s Mill Road) in Russell County. Pay attention to flaggers in the area.

(NEW) Route 667 shoulder work: Be alert to temporary lane closures due to shoulder work on Route 667 from Route 71 to 2.5 miles north of Route 71 in Russell County. Pay close attention to workers and signs in the area.

Route 1207 recreational access improvements: Due to roadway improvements along a portion of Route 1207 (Tank Hollow Road) in Russell County, the road will be closed from Route 1208 (Hall Street) to the Cleveland Barrens parking area (0.21 mile south of Hall Street). Work is scheduled to begin on April 10. (Completion: April 25)

Route 19 Safety Improvements: Safety improvements are underway on Route 19 northbound in the Rosedale area of Russell County. Lane closures will be in place starting 0.8 miles west of Route 80. The right lane is restricted to a width of 11 feet. Watch for signs and message boards. (Completion: November 2026)

Scott County

Route 23/58 intersection improvements: An improvement project is underway at the intersection of Route 23/58 at Duffield in Scott County. The project includes changes to the location of the traffic signal supports, the addition of a northbound Route 23 left and right turn lane, and the addition of a right turn lane from Route 871 (Natural Tunnel Parkway Road) onto northbound Route 23. Motorists should be alert to signs and message boards and watch for periodic traffic pattern changes during the project. (Completion: June 2026)

Smyth County

Route 11 roundabout at Adwolfe Road: A roundabout project located on Route 11 at Adwolfe Road in Smyth County is underway. Be alert to construction crews mobilizing in the area. (Completion: July 2027)

Tazewell County

Route 19/460 and Route 610 intersection improvements: An intersection improvement project is underway on Route 19/460, from the intersection of Route 19 with Route 460 at Adair Drive, to the intersection of Route 19/460 with Route 610 in the Claypool Hill area of Tazewell County. Anticipate shoulder and lane closures in the area. (Completion: December 2026)

Front Street bridge replacement in Richlands: The Front Street bridge over the Clinch River is being replaced. The bridge project is located at the intersection of Front Street with Fairfax Avenue, to the intersection of Front Street with Allegheny Street in the Town of Richlands in Tazewell County. The detour was removed on April 13, but work continues to finish construction on the bridge. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: April 2026)

Route 61 bridge replacement over Cove Creek: Due to the replacement of the Route 61 bridge over Cove Creek in Tazewell County, be alert to traffic signals controlling one-way traffic across the bridge. The width restriction of the bridge during construction is 10 feet 6 inches. The bridge is located near the intersection of Route 622 (Cove Creek Road). (Completion: April 2026)

Washington County

Thompson Drive/Stanley Street roundabout: A roundabout project located on Thompson Drive at Stanley Street in the Abingdon area of Washington County is underway. Be alert to construction crews mobilizing in the area. (Completion: September 2027)

Wythe County

(NEW) Route 749 (Cedar Springs Road) bridge replacement: Due to a bridge replacement project, a portion of Route 749 (Cedar Springs Road) in Wythe County will be closed. Beginning Monday (April 27) at 9 a.m. through Friday (May 1) at 5 p.m. The closure is 0.80 miles to Route 734 and 0.05 miles to Route 614. A detour is available using Route 670 (Sharons Drive) and Route 673 (Porter Road). (Completion: May 2026)

Progress Park Connector/I-77 Exit 41: Construction of a new 2.3-mile connector road between Nye Road and E. Lee Trinkle Road is underway, providing a direct connection to Wytheville’s Progress Park industrial site.  A 0.3-mile portion of Lover's Lane was closed this Spring and remains closed for the duration of the project. The closed section of Lover's Lane is located 1.6 miles from Nye Road and 0.5 miles from Pepper's Ferry Road. Construction is also ongoing at the I-77 interchange at exit 41, which includes improvements to the northbound lanes and northbound I-77 off ramp, Nye Road and Peppers Ferry Road. Pay close attention to construction vehicles, work zone signs and workers in the area. (Completion: Summer 2027)

Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge: The Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge in Wythe County has been closed due to safety concerns following an inspection. Motorists will use Route 612 (Dry Road) and Route 749 (Cedar Springs Road) to detour, approximately eight miles. The replacement of the bridge is scheduled to begin in August 2026. (Completion: March 2027)

Completed

Interstate 81 – Exit 45 northbound off-ramp closure: Sewer line project in the Town of Marion that closed the northbound exit 45 off ramp is complete.

Route 82 sight distance improvements: Sight distance work on Route 82 at the Route 640 (Long Hollow Road) intersection is complete.