Roundabout projects "coming soon" in Smyth County and Abingdon

BRISTOL, Va. – Construction of two roundabout projects is starting up, one in Abingdon and one in Smyth County.

The $6.5 million roundabout project located on Route 11 at Adwolfe Road in Smyth County began in early February and will finish in July 2027. Be alert to construction crews from Ramirez Contracting mobilizing in the area.

The roundabout construction is located across the interstate from the Route 11/Browns Subdivision Road roundabout that opened to traffic in May 2025.

Initially, motorists should be alert to shoulder closures. Be alert to the possibility of flaggers and temporary signals in the later phases of construction.

The second roundabout construction project is located in Abingdon on Thompson Drive at Stanley Street, located near Abingdon High School and the Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center.

The Thompson Drive roundabout begins this week and wraps up in September 2027.

The $8.5 million project includes removing driveway access from the intersection area and adding a sidewalk along the west side of the roundabout, extending back to Radio Drive and the shopping center entrance.

Jones Road & Bridge, Inc., Abingdon, is the contractor for the project.

Motorists can expect multiple traffic shifts during construction, and should also be alert to flaggers periodically directing traffic.

Both roundabouts will be single-lane and are financed through VDOT’s SMART SCALE program, which involves an application and scoring process to evaluate the projects statewide based on key factors such as improving safety and contributing to economic development.

In addition to the roundabouts in Abingdon and Smyth County, construction of a third roundabout is underway in Dickenson County. The roundabout is located at Route 83 and Route 637 (D.C. Caney Ridge and Rose Ridge) and includes replacing the current park-and-ride lot with a new one at the northeast area of the intersection. Construction is anticipated to be completed in October.

Roundabouts allow traffic to move around a center island in a counterclockwise direction (right turns only) to access each point, or leg, of the roundabout.

Things to remember:

• Before entering a roundabout, look left and yield to traffic in the roundabout, and also yield to pedestrians.
• Enter a roundabout when it is safe to do so.
• Use your turn signal to let other motorists know which point of a roundabout you plan to exit.

Roundabouts are shown to improve safety by reducing the number of points where vehicles can cross paths and eliminating the potential for right-angle and head-on crashes. Roundabouts also increase efficiency and are cost-effective in the long term versus a traffic signal.

VDOT’s website has additional information on navigating roundabouts: https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/about/our-system/highways/innovative-intersections/roundabout/