Bristol District Weekly Traffic Alert: August 19 - 25, 2024

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 (NEW) or (UPDATE) indicate revisions since last week’s report.

INTERSTATE PROJECTS

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. Be alert to traffic pattern changes north and southbound. (Completion: November 2025)

Interstate 81 – truck climbing lanes (Washington and Smyth counties): A project is underway to add truck climbing lanes to Interstate 81 northbound at mile marker 32.4 in Washington County and southbound at mile marker 34 in Smyth County. The roadway shoulder is closed during construction. Be alert to temporary lane closures north and southbound. Pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: November 2025)

(UPDATE) Interstate 81 – lane shift near exit 3 northbound (Bristol): Be alert to shifted traffic on I-81 northbound near exit 3 due to bridge deck repairs. Northbound traffic will be shifted from the right two lanes to the two left lanes. (Completion: September 9)

Interstate 77 – bridge widening (Bland County): A project is underway to widen the I-77 bridge northbound between exits 58 and 62 in Bland County. Be alert to nighttime lane closures. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: November 2025)

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

Interstate 81

• Nighttime paving operations northbound between mile markers 76 and 79 in Wythe County.
• A super load will travel southbound from exit 81 in Wythe County to the Virginia/Tennessee state line August 19.
• A super load will travel northbound from mile marker 79 to the Virginia/West Virginia state line August 20 – 22.
• Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound near mile markers 63 and 58 in Wythe County.

Interstate 77

• Nighttime tunnel maintenance northbound at the East River Mountain Tunnel in Bland County.
• Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound near mile marker 54 in Bland County.
• A super load will travel southbound from the Virginia/West Virginia state line to exit 40 in Smyth County August 20 - 22.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH-TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Bland County

I-77 Bridge Rehabilitation over Route 52: Be alert to periodic lane closures due to bridge work on I-77 north and southbound over Route 52. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: May 2025)

Buchanan County

Route 632 (Page Drive): A 1.5-mile section of Route 632 (Page Drive) has been closed between the intersections of Route 626 (Chambers Road) and Ballenger Road in Buchanan County. Buchanan Materials is relocating the section of the roadway as part of their coal preparation plant expansion. Pay close attention to detour signs in the area. (Completion: Late Spring 2025)

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: A temporary road closure is in place for a portion of Route 604 (Poplar Creek Road) due to the construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A in Buchanan County. Motorists are advised to pay close attention to signs directing traffic around the area while the Route 604 closure is in place through mid-September.

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 traffic change is from Route 460 near Hill Street in Grundy and continues along westbound Route 460 for approximately 0.8 miles to where traffic will merge back onto current Route 460.

Grayson County

(NEW) Route 670 (Laurel View Road) pipe replacement: A pipe replacement project begins this week on Route 670 (Laurel View Road) in the Comers Rock Community of Grayson County. The road will be closed from 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 21 until 5 p.m. Friday. September 13. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes. The pipe replacement is 1.25 miles from Route 662 and .55 miles from Route 658. Be alert to signs and message boards. (Completion: September 13)

Russell County

Route 687 bridge replacement: Replacement of the bridge on Route 687 over Route 63 in the Dante area of Russell County continues. A temporary access road is in place through the Roanoke Hill area connecting Route 63 and Route 687. (Completion: October 2024)

Route 634 Culvert Rehabilitation over Pine Creek: Culvert work on Route 634 over Pine Creek in Russell County is underway. Be alert to periodic lane closures. (Completion: September 2024)

Smyth County
Main Street/Commerce Street intersection improvements: Intersection improvements are underway at downtown Marion's Main Street/Commerce Street intersection. Be alert to changing traffic patterns and temporary delays. (Completion: Mid-September 2024)

Route 11 roundabout: A project is underway to build a roundabout on Route 11 at the intersection of Route 660 (Railroad Drive) in Smyth County, approximately one mile east of Oak Point Elementary School. Be alert to workers and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: Summer 2025)

Washington County

Route 58 at Route 712 (Delmar Road) shoulder widening: Due to a shoulder widening project on Route 58 at Route 712 (Delmar Road) in Washington County, the right travel lane westbound on Route 58 will be closed. During the Route 58 lane closure, Route 712 traffic will be restricted to right turns only. The project will take approximately three weeks to complete. (Completion: Late August 2024)

Wise County

Route 688 (Washington Road) bridge replacement: Due to a bridge replacement project on Route 688 (Washington Road) in Wise County, the road will be shut down to all traffic beginning July 29. The work will last approximately 30 days. Traffic will need to detour using Route 607 and Route 58 west. Be alert to signs and message boards. (Completion: August 29)

Wythe County

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 NB lanes, NB off-ramp, Nye Road and Peppers Ferry Road. Be alert to construction vehicles, work zone signs and workers in the area. (Completion: November 2026)

Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge: Due to an upcoming bridge replacement project, the Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge in Wythe County has been restricted to one 11-foot-wide lane and a three-ton weight limit. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2024.

Completed

Route 604 (Mill Creek Road) bridge replacements: Route 604 (Mill Creek Road) bridge replacements in Washington County are complete. Motorists are asked to continue to use caution in the area as crews perform finishing work in the area.