Bristol's weekly traffic alert: May 20-26, 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 pavement marking north and southbound between the Virginia/Tennessee state line and mile marker 88 in Washington, Smyth and Wythe counties.
-    Daytime pothole patching northbound between exits 54 and 73 in Smyth and Wythe counties.
-    Day and nighttime bridge repairs north and southbound between exit 35 and mile marker 38 in Smyth County.
-    Nighttime roadway sweeping north and southbound from mile marker 27 to exit 54 in Washington and Smyth counties.
-    Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound between mile marker 27 and exit 54 in Washington and Smyth counties.
-    Nighttime bridge inspection work north and southbound between mile markers 25 and 30 in Washington County and between exit 39 and mile marker 46 in Smyth County.
-    Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound between exit 73 and mile marker 88 in Wythe County.
-    Day and nighttime bridge repairs southbound between exit 47 and mile marker 48 in Smyth County May 20 – 24. A 14-foot width restriction is in place.
-    Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound at mile markers 16 and 25 in Washington County.
-    Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound near exit 3 in the Bristol area.

Interstate 77
-    Daytime roadway sweeping north and southbound between exits 41 and 66 in Wythe and Bland counties.
-    Nighttime pavement marking north and southbound between exit 24 and exit 47 in Wythe County.
-    Daytime pothole patching northbound between exits 41 and 66 in Wythe and Bland counties.
-    Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound between exit 24 and mile marker 33 in Wythe 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. 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.

(UPDATE) Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B: Be alert to a new traffic pattern beginning May 29 or 30 (weather permitting) on Route 460 at Grundy due to the construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B. The traffic change will be from Route 460 near Hill Street in Grundy and will continue along westbound Route 460 for approximately 0.8 mile 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.

Lee County
Route 23 bridge replacement: Be alert to an altered traffic pattern at the bridges over Norfolk Southern Railroad in the Jasper area of Lee County due to the replacement of the bridges. Two-way traffic is currently in the northbound lanes of Route 23.  (Completion: June 2024)

(NEW) Route 687 (Frog Level Road) bridge replacement: A bridge replacement project will take place on Route 687 (Frog Level Road) over Indian Creek in the Ewing section of Lee County Monday (May 20) at 9 a.m. – Tuesday (May 21) at 6 p.m. Detour using Routes 685, 684 and 758. Be alert to signs and message boards.

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)

Route 11 and Rifton Drive intersection improvements: Be alert to intersection improvements underway at Route 11 and Rifton Drive in Marion. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: August 2024)

Route 622 bridge rehab:  A project to rehabilitate the Route 622 bridge over Norfolk and Western Railway in Smyth County continues. Be alert to temporary traffic signals at Route 11 and Route 622 (Haven Ridge Road).  Motorists should use caution in the area and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: June 2024)

(NEW) Route 107 railroad repairs: Due to work at the Route 107 (Whitetop Road) railroad crossing in the Chilhowie area of Smyth County, the crossing will be closed for approximately 36 hours beginning Monday morning (May 20). The railroad tracks to be repaired are located near McDonald’s, between Interstate 81 exit 35 southbound on and off ramps and Route 11. Drivers should use exit 39 to access Route 11 toward Chilhowie. Be alert to signs and message boards.

Wise County
(NEW) Route 1321 (Inman Street) over Powell River: A portion of Route 1321 (Inman Street) over Powell River in Wise County will be closed from 9 a.m. until noon May 23 due to a bridge inspection.

Wythe County
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 will be closed beginning Monday, March 18 and will remain closed for the duration of the project. The section of Lover's Lane to be closed 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.