Bristol District Weekly Traffic Alert: June 24-30, 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 County): A project is underway to add truck climbing lanes to Interstate 81 northbound at mile marker 32.4 and southbound at mile marker 34 in Washington 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)

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 utility/permit work north and southbound from Ready Mix Road to Blue Sky Drive near exit 77 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime paving operations southbound between mile markers 63 and 71 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime bridge work north and southbound between exit 72 and and 73 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime bridge inspection work north and southbound between mile marker 82 and exit 86 in Wythe County.
• Daytime super load move northbound from the Virginia/Tennessee state line to exit 222 in Staunton.
• Nighttime soil borings north and southbound between mile markers 71 and 74 in Wythe County.

Interstate 77

• Nighttime bridge inspection work north and southbound between exit 41 and mile marker 48 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime tunnel maintenance northbound at the East River Mountain Tunnel in Bland County. All wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH-TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

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. The section of roadway is being relocated by Buchanan Materials as part of their coal preparation plant expansion. Pay close attention to detour signs in the area. (Completion: August 2024)

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: Construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A is underway in Buchanan County. The Poplar Creek Phase A project created a permanent change for Route 614 (Woods Fork). Access to the north and south ends of Route 614 is via Routes 609 (Bulls Creek Road) and Route 604 (Polar Creek Road), respectively, which connect to Route 460 west of Grundy.

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. Leading up to the traffic shift, be alert to workers along the shoulder and flagging operations.

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)

Smyth County
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)

Wythe County

(UPDATE) Progress Park Connector: 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. 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 11 and Rifton Drive intersection improvements: Intersection improvements at Route 11 and Rifton Drive in Marion are complete.