February 20-26: Bristol's Weekly Traffic Alert

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 asterisks (***) indicate the listing is new or the status of the project has changed since last week’s traffic alert.

INTERSTATE PROJECTS

Interstate 81 – truck climbing lanes: The project to add a truck climbing lane to Interstate 81 northbound near mile marker 39 in Smyth County is underway. The roadway shoulder is closed during construction. Pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: May 2024)

Interstate 81 Exit 17: Be alert to nightly lane closures on Interstate 81 at exit 17 and on Route 75 beneath the interstate as part of the I-81 exit 17 improvement project. The exit 17 project includes improvements to the exit 17 northbound on and off ramps, improvements to a segment of Route 75, reconstruction and relocation of Gravel Lake Road, lengthening the I-81 southbound on ramp, and relocation of the frontage road located adjacent to the northbound exit 17 off ramp. The speed limit is 60mph through the work zone. (Completion: Spring 2023)

Interstate 77 – Exit 64: Motorists should be alert to work underway to improve Interstate 77 at exit 64 in Bland County. The project includes maintenance repairs to the I-77 bridges over Route 61 and Clear Fork Creek and improvements to the exit 64 northbound and southbound ramps. (Completion: May 2023)

I-77 bridges over Cove Creek: Be alert to a project to replace the Interstate 77 bridges over Cove Creek in Wythe County, located about two miles north of Interstate 81 between mile markers 44 and 42. Motorists can expect an altered traffic pattern on southbound I-77 and periodic nighttime lane closures while work is underway. (Completion: early 2023)

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

Interstate 81
- Nighttime bridge repairs southbound at exit 84 in Wythe County from 8 p.m. February 20 until 6 a.m. February 21. All southbound traffic will be detoured off the interstate and back on at exit 84 during a portion of that time.
- Nighttime bridge repairs northbound near mile marker 83 in Wythe County February 21 – 24. No wide loads are allowed when the work zone is in place.
- Nighttime bridge repairs southbound near exits 45 and 47 in the Marion area of Smyth County.
- Daytime brush/tree removal activities southbound near exit 72 in the Wytheville area of Wythe County.
- Day and nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound near exit 35 in the Chilhowie area of Smyth County February 20-24. Be alert to a 14-foot width restriction during repairs.
- Daytime and nighttime bridge deck repairs near mile marker 72 northbound in Wythe County February 20 - 24. Be alert to a 14-foot width restriction in the right lane during the repairs.
- Daytime and nighttime pothole patching in Washington, Smyth and Wythe counties.

Interstate 77
- Nighttime bridge inspection work north and southbound between mile markers 52 and 58 in Bland County.
- Daytime pothole patching in Bland and Wythe counties.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Buchanan County

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: Construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A is underway in Buchanan County. Route 604 (Poplar Creek Road) is on a temporary alignment. 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.

Scott County

Route 23 bridge over Speers Ferry: Work to rehabilitate the Route 23 bridge over Speers Ferry in Scott County is underway. Lane restrictions were recently removed, however, be alert to periodic, daytime lane closures due to work beneath the bridge. Motorists are advised to use caution in this area. (Completion: July 2023)

Smyth County
***Route 91 – road repairs: Due to needed repairs, Route 91 near Possum Hollow Road is reduced to one lane and temporary traffic signals will be directing one-way traffic. Use caution in this area and pay close attention to signs and message boards.

Tazewell County

***Route 91 – slide repairs: A slide area has closed a portion of Route 91 in Tazewell County and traffic is using Routes 601 and 607 to detour. The detour is approximately five miles. Once an assessment if performed, crews will begin cleanup and repairs.

Second Street (Route 67) Bridge over Clinch River in Richlands: Due to a bridge rehabilitation and repair project on Second Street (Route 67) in Richlands, the bridge over the Clinch River is restricted to one lane. The bridge is located west of the intersection of Allegheny Street. (Completion: February 2023)

Route 19: Be alert to daily delays on Route 19 near the Russell/Tazewell County line due to rolling roadblocks associated with blasting work. The work is due to establishing the intersection for Pure Salmon. (Completion: Winter 2023)

Washington County

Route 58 widening near Damascus: Due to Route 58 construction activities near Damascus, be alert to periodic delays. Virginia Creeper Trail users should be alert to the possibility of flaggers directing trail traffic. Trail users may experience periodic delays of 15-30 minutes near the bridge. (Completion: May 2024)

Wise County

Route 671 (South Fork Road) – slide repairs: Signals are controlling one-way traffic on a portion of Route 671 (South Fork Road) in the Pound area of Wise County due to slide repairs. The repairs are located 0.3-mile from the Kentucky state line. (Completion: late February 2023)

Alternate Route 58 bridge rehabilitation: A project to rehabilitate the Alternate Route 58 bridge over the Guest River and Norfolk Southern Railroad in the City of Norton is paused until spring. (Completion: July 2023)

Business Route 23 in Wise: A project to widen a portion of Business Route 23 in the Town of Wise between Route 23 at McDonald’s and Cherry Street is underway. Pay close attention to flaggers and allow extra travel time. (Completion: December 2023)

Alternate Route 58 bridge repairs: Bridge repairs are underway on eastbound Route 58 in Wise County at the bridge over Bear Creek in the Norton area. Pay close attention to signs and watch out for workers. (Completion: July 2023)

Wythe County

Route 619 bridge: Due to replacement of the Route 619 bridge over Interstate 81 exit 84 in Wythe County, motorists should be alert to one-lane traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals across the Route 619 bridge. Be alert to the possibility of slight delays on I-81 due to the bridge work above the interstate. (Completion: Dec. 2023)  

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