Bristol District Weekly Traffic Alert: October 21 - 27, 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.

(UPDATE) Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts: Be alert to signs and message boards directing traffic around areas damaged by remnants of Hurricane Helene:

• Route 58 is closed due to a significant washout between Route 91 at Damascus and Feather Camp Road in the Konnarock area.
• Route 21 is closed in the Independence area due to a slide. Repairs continue.
• Route 1212 bridge in the Damascus area of Washington County is closed.
• Route 859 bridge in the Konnarock area of Washington County is closed.
• Route 800 bridge in Smyth County is closed.
• Route 749 in Grayson County has a large pipe washed out; however, no residents live beyond the closure.

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)

Interstate 81 - Route 11 widening (Bristol): The City of Bristol is widening Route 11 and the I-81 southbound and northbound off-ramps to improve traffic flow and safety. Intersection and traffic signal improvements will also be included. Be alert to highway workers and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: May 2026)

Interstate 77 – Bridge replacement (Bland County): Replacement of the northbound I-77 bridge at exit 62, located over Route 606 (Wilderness Road), is underway in Bland County. Be alert to nighttime lane closures. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: Late 2025)

Interstate 77 - Bridge rehabilitation over Route 52 (Bland County): Be alert to periodic lane closures due to bridge work on I-77 north and southbound at mile marker 54.2 over Route 52. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: May 2025)

(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 northbound at mile marker 9 in Bristol.
• Nighttime bridge repairs/replacement from mile marker 51 to mile marker 49.5 in Smyth County.
• Nighttime paving operations northbound between mile markers 76 and 812 in Wythe County.
• Nighttime roadway improvements southbound from mile markers 73 and 74.5 in Wytheville.
• Day and nighttime bridge painting north and southbound between exit 72 and mile marker 76 in Wytheville.

Interstate 77

• Nighttime tunnel maintenance north and southbound at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and East River Mountain Tunnel in Bland County.
• Nighttime bridge inspections northbound between mile markers 63 and 67.5 in Bland County.
• Nighttime bridge inspections southbound between mile markers 63 and 62 in Bland County.

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. 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: Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A construction continues in Buchanan County. The project created a permanent change for Route 614 (Woods Fork). Access to the north and south ends of Route 614 is via Routes 609 (Bull Creek Road) and Route 604 (Poplar Creek Road), respectively, which connect to Route 460 west of Grundy. Route 604 is open to traffic but stay alert to signs, message boards and flaggers as work continues in the area.

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

Route 670 (Laurel View Road) pipe replacement project: Route 670 (Laurel View Road) in Grayson County is closed for a pipe replacement.  It is 1.25 miles from Route 662 and 0.55 miles from Route 658. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes.

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. Temporary traffic signals are in place and will remain active until completion. Be alert to workers and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: Summer 2025)

Interstate 81 bridge repairs at Bales Lane: Due to repairs to the I-81 bridge over Bales Lane in the Marion area, a portion of the road is closed and a detour is in place. Be alert to signs and message boards. (Completion: December 2024)

Wise County

Route 645 slide and road repairs: Route 645 (Dotson Creek Road) is closed while crews work to repair a slide area and reconstruct the road in Wise County. Motorists can detour using Route 704 (Green Hollow Road), Route 640 (Hurricane Road) and Route 691 (Turkey Branch Road). (Completion: November 1)

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)

Bridge rehabilitation on Route 619 (Gleaves Road) over Cripple Creek: Work is underway to rehabilitate the bridge on Route 619 (Gleaves Road) over Cripple Creek in Wythe County. Be alert to signs and message boards. (Completion: May 2025)

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.