RoadWatch December 20, 2024 - January 3, 2025
The following is a list of forecasted highway projects that may impact traffic traveling in the 12-county Salem Transportation District this week. Work schedules and construction project timelines are always subject to change and weather dependent. New information is noted by "NEW" and updates are noted when a current project has had an update added to the listing. The Salem District covers Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski and Roanoke.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL: VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Tuesday, Dec. 24, until noon on Thursday, Dec. 26, as well as from noon on Tuesday, Dec. 31, until noon on Thursday, Jan. 2. While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. Check VDOT’s Travel Advisories for the latest travel alerts in your area and around the state.
TRAFFIC ALERTS:
ROAD MAINTENANCE: VDOT performs the following activities as part of routine maintenance on roadways throughout the district. To submit a work order request for road repairs or assistance, contact our customer service center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or submit online at www.virginiadot.org.
PAVING INFORMATION: VDOT now offers coverage of tracking paving progress statewide, which allows community members and stakeholders to view specific locations slated for paving and individual details of each project. Paving season typically extends from April to November and the map is updated weekly to detail exactly where paving projects are planned, ongoing and show how they’re to give residents and travelers a tool to use to best plan for travel and stay safe near these work zones. Drivers can get specific information about the status of paving projects at the Virginia Roads Paving Map or www.virginiaroads.org.
INTERSTATE 81
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXIT 137 TO EXIT 141 – The $179 million design-build project to widen both directions of I-81 between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 from two to three lanes is underway. Work is being performed along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. Barrier wall is in place along the shoulders. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction are expected to remain open during the project with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed. Drivers can expect the following lane closures and upcoming traffic impacts in this area on northbound and southbound I-81:
ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC IMPACTS:
UNEVEN PAVEMENT: Drivers may experience some uneven pavement and/or rough surface throughout the project.
The project also includes replacing six bridges, widening two bridges, installing approximately 2.6 miles of sound barrier walls along northbound I-81, improving the southbound exit 137 off-ramp intersection at Wildwood Road and adding interchange lighting at exits 137, 140 and 141. Expected completion in early 2026.
(UPDATED 12-20-24) I-81 NB & SB DECK OVERLAY AT PEAK CREEK MILE MARKER 95.7 - Repair work is underway on the northbound and southbound bridges on I-81 over Peak Creek near mile marker 95.7. This repair work will require nighttime single lane closures for the duration of the project. Lane closures may occur nightly from Sunday night through Friday mornings between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. For the deck overlay process, lane closures may be in place between Sunday nights through Friday mornings. For the southbound lanes these will occur between the hours of 7pm and 10am, and for the northbound lanes between the hours of 6pm through 9am. Details on these closures will be listed below on a weekly basis. Estimated completion is February 2025.
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * I-81 NORTHBOUND AT EXIT 105 NEW RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Traffic on northbound I-81 has been switched onto the newly constructed bridge over the New River at the Montgomery/Pulaski County line. Lane and shoulder closures may be in place near exit 105. Lane closure may be in effect during the week from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Shoulder closures may be in effect at any time during the week. Slow rolls may be performed on I-81 in the north and southbound lanes from mile marker 98 to 109. Speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone. Shoulder closures will remain in place though the duration of the project.
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * I-81 IMPROVEMENTS FROM MILE MARKER 143 TO 151 – Periodic lane closures may be in place during nighttime hours 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., on northbound and southbound I-81 for survey and preparation work for an upcoming widening project along I-81.
(UPDATED 11-1-24) * I-81 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81 between mile markers 170 to 89, right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
INTERSTATE 581
(UPDATED 9-27-24) * I-581 PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, beginning August 18, crews will perform paving and patching operations. Lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound, Sunday through Thursday, during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
INTERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)
(UPDATED 9-20-24) * I-77 PAVING & PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will perform paving and patching operations on Interstate I-77. Right, left and center lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound, Monday through Friday, during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
(UPDATED 9-6-24) * I-77 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will perform paving operations on Interstate 77. Right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
ROANOKE CITY
None to report.
ROANOKE COUNTY
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * APPALACHIAN TRAIL BRIDGE OVER ROUTE 311 – A new pedestrian bridge is under construction over Route 311 at McAfee Knob trailhead. The trailhead parking lot is currently closed and will remain closed during construction. Bridge beams were placed across Route 311 on the new bridge on June 11. Flagging operations will be in place daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Occasional slow rolls during nighttime hours are possible. Alternate areas for parking and updates on the shuttle can be found by calling 540-387-5588 or visiting the shuttle website at www.roanokecountyva.gov/McAfeeShuttle. Expected completion by end of 2024 or early 2025.
(UPDATED 10-11-24) * BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSURES IN ROANOKE AREA - Blue Ridge Parkway may be repairing roads in our area that require road closures and flagging operations and detours may be in place. Visit their website at www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm for more information.
(UPDATED 7-19-24) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
BEDFORD COUNTY
None to report.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * ROUTE 220 AND INTERNATIONAL PARKWAY/ASHLEY WAY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS - Work is underway on a road construction project to improve traffic flow and safety by converting the intersection at Route 220 and Route 839/Route 1126 (International Parkway/Ashley Way) to a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT). Construction is anticipated to be completed in summer 2025. Drivers can expect the following traffic pattern changes at the intersection of Route 220 and International Parkway/Ashley Way:
Throughout the life of the project, drivers can expect lane closures on Route 220 and traffic pattern changes at the intersection. Starting in July, drivers who normally turn left from Ashley Way onto southbound Route 220 or turn left from International Parkway onto northbound Route 220 will have to turn right and proceed to make a U-turn using an available crossover. Estimated completion is summer 20251
(UPDATED 12-6-24) * CRAIG BOTETOURT SCENIC TRAIL BRUSH CUTTING AND STABILIZATION WORK RESUMES - Residents along the former Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Craig Valley Branch railbed in Botetourt and Craig counties may notice maintenance work continuing on the old railbed starting in mid-November. These activities are intended to prevent additional deterioration and to help designers who are developing plans for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail. VDOT continues to collect data and conduct site visits and field reviews on the railbed. The cost estimate for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail is still being refined and a specific schedule for construction has yet to be determined. VDOT plans to hold public hearings on the project in 2025. The hearing dates have not yet been announced.
CARROLL COUNTY
(NEW 12-6-24) * ROUTE 620 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS – A safety improvement project on Route 620 is scheduled to begin on January 6, 2025 from 0.1 mile south of Route 707 to 0.1 mile north of Route 707. Flagging operations may be in place during daytime hours and drivers should use caution in the work zone. Watch for message board updates. The expected completion date is scheduled for June 2025.
(NEW 12-6-24) * ROUTE 764 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT - Route 764 will have flagging operations in place for bridge replacement project over Greasy Creek beginning March 1, 2025. The bridge is located 2.8 miles from the Pulaski County line and 0.05 mile north of Route 765. A detour will be in place for the duration of the bridge replacement. The scheduled completion date is September 2025.
CRAIG COUNTY
(UPDATED 7-19-24) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
FLOYD COUNTY
None at this time.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * CONNECTOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION CLOSES BRICK CHURCH ROAD - During the week of November 11, drivers who use the intersection of Route 697 (Brick Church Road) and Route 220 (Virgil Goode Highway) in the Wirtz area of Franklin County began to reroute due to a project to build a new connector road.
These traffic changes will begin during road construction and will remain in place once a new 0.4-mile section of roadway is built to connect Brick Church Road and Commonwealth Parkway. As part of the project, a new cul-de-sac will be constructed on Brick Church Road just east of its intersection with Pleasant Breeze Drive. The road project is being administered by Franklin County and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2024.
(NEW 12-13-24) * ROUTE 705 CLOSURE FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT - Effective Monday, January 27, 2025, a section of Route 705 (Chestnut Hill Road) will be closed for a pipe replacement. The structure is located 0.32 mile south of Route 714 (Washboard Road) and 1.46 miles north of Route 954 (Ball Park Road). Work is scheduled for completion by Friday, March 14, 2025.
(UPDATED 11-15-24) * ROUTE 602 CLOSURE – Work started on Tuesday, October 15 on a section of Route 641(Callaway Road). The road is currently closed for a slab installation. The structure is located 0.30 mile from Route 740 (Algoma Road) and 0.50 mile from Route 737 (Deyerle Knob Road). Work is scheduled for completion by approximately Friday, December 20.
(UPDATED 7-19-24) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
GILES COUNTY
(NEW 12-20-24) * EGGLESTON FIRE DEPARTMENT PARADE – The Eggleston Volunteer Fire Department Christmas Parade will be held on December 22, 2024. The road closures will be in place from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. The parade participants will assemble at 235 Firehouse Road and will disband at the same location. The proposed route is from Firehouse Road to Old Schoolhouse Road to Church Hill Road to Village Street to Eggleston Road and back to Old Schoolhouse Road, then ending at 235 Firehouse Road.
(UPDATED 7-19-24) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
HENRY COUNTY
None at this time.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
(UPDATED 7-19-24) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is January 2025.
PATRICK COUNTY
(UPDATED 12-13-24) * ROUTE 671 CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC - Beginning Tuesday, November 12, 2024, Route 671(Raven Rock Road) closed to through traffic from Route 631(River Road) to Route 631 (Pond Road) to perform pipe replacements. During this time, directional signs will be in place to assist the traveling public. Due to flooding, this work has been extended. The road will now re-open to traffic on Friday, December 20, 2024.
(NEW 12-6-24) * ROUTE 631 CLOSED FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT - Beginning Monday, December 16, Route 631 (Pond Road) will be closed to through traffic from Route 671 (Raven Rock Road) to Route 614 (Squirrel Spur Road) to perform pipe replacements. During this time, directional signs will be in place to assist the traveling public. Weather permitting, the road will re-open to traffic on Friday, December 20, 2024.
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * ROUTE 58 LOVER’S LEAP PROJECT – Construction is underway on Lover’s Leap area of Route 58. Current work includes clearing and grading activities on the west and east portions of the project. A 45-mph speed reduction is in place on Route 58 for the entire length of the project. Drivers should expect flagging operations during day and nighttime hours. Message boards are in place to alert traffic and drivers should expect delays. Estimated completion date is Summer 2026.
(NEW 5-31-24) * ROUTE 57 UTILITY WORK – Route 57 may have lane and shoulder closures in place for utility work by Comcast along Route 57 from Route 8 to Route 701. The work is expected to continue for 90 days or end of August 2024.
PULASKI COUNTY
None at this time.
Last updated: January 11, 2025