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February 2, 2024

ROADWATCH: February 2 - 9, 2024

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.

TRAFFIC ALERTS:

511: For the most current traffic and road work information, call 511, download the 511 App or visit 511virginia.org.
TWITTER: You can also follow 5.11 Twitter feeds for the southwest area of Virginia at @511southwestva or follow @VaDOTSalem on Twitter.
FACEBOOK: Join our Facebook community group page at facebook.com/groups/VDOTSalem for traffic and general information on projects in the Salem District area.
On the 511 website, drivers can also sign up to receive personalized traffic alerts, view traffic cameras or download the free Android or iPhone mobile app.

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 OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
SURFACE TREATMENT OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will begin surface treatment operations on various routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays. The road surface may be rough for a several weeks after surface treatment is applied. Once it packs down, the road surface will be brushed and return to a more smooth surface.
PAVEMENT MARKINGS – Pavement marking operations will be performed district wide, in various counties on secondary routes. These will be mobile operations with lane closures, as they proceed through each county. Motorists should use caution and follow mobile signs for direction.
DITCHING, GRADING, SLOPE AND SHOULDER REPAIRS – Lane closures may be in place during daylight hours for shoulder repairs. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
PIPE REPLACEMENTS – Crews will be working on various secondary roads to replace pipes under the roadway with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE – Crews will be working on various secondary roads where drainage issues are present with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
MOWING, TREE TRIMMING AND BRUSH REMOVAL (VARIOUS ROUTES) – Crews will mow on secondary routes during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for lane and/or shoulder closures.
UNPAVED ROAD MAINTENANCE – Crews will be working on various secondary non-hard surface roads grading and replacing stone with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
GUARDRAIL REPAIRS - Lane closures may be in place for guardrail repairs at various locations. Work will be performed during daytime hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

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 2-2-24) * 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:

WORK ZONE SPEED: Drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work zone and allow space when following a vehicle. Narrow spacing in lanes due to barrier walls, lack of shoulders and lane shifts in various locations, are present.
TRAFFIC SHIFTS ON WILDWOOD ROAD: Expect a work zone with traffic shifts and narrow width on Wildwood Road after exiting I-81 southbound on exit 137 heading towards Salem. Southbound and northbound I-81 exit and entrance ramp narrows are possible at Route 311.
TRAFFIC SHIFT ON EXIT 140: Drivers may experience a periodic quick merge into traffic onto Thompson Memorial Drive from the southbound exit ramp of exit 140. Work zone located at bottom of the ramp for work on the I-81 bridge at the underpass.
RAMP CLOSURES: Ramp closures are possible during nighttime hours, 12 a.m., to 5 a.m. Drivers should watch for message boards dates and times the ramp will be closed.
LANE CLOSURES: Alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, are possible. Lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet. Nightly lane closures may be in place along the right lane with possible nightly ramp narrows as needed for guardrail and shoulder strengthening.

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.

(NEW 2-2-24) I-81 NB & SB BRIDGE REHAB OVER ROUTE 100 AT EXIT 98 - Beginning late March 2024, work will begin on I-81 rehabbing the northbound and southbound bridges over Route 100 at Exit 98. Lane and shoulder may be in place on Route 100 north and on I-81 northbound and southbound, 8 p.m. – 6 a.m. Flagging operations may also be in place on Route 100 north for up to eight-minute slow rolls. Both northbound and southbound on and off ramps at exit 98 for I-81 traffic will remain fully operational for the duration of this project. Estimated completion date is summer 2024.

(UPDATED 2-2-24) * 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. Project completion is estimated for Summer 2024.

LANE CLOSURES: Beginning December 10, nighttime alternating lane closures are possible on I-81 northbound between mile markers 104-106 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
ROUTE 605: Alternating lane closures and flagging operations may be present on Route 605, located under the New River Bridge, for paving operations and work overhead on the bridge.
SLOW ROLLS: A slow roll operation will be in place on Monday, January 22 and Tuesday, January 23 on I-81 northbound from mile marker 104 and 106 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Slow rolls may be utilized periodically on both the northbound and southbound lanes from mile marker 98-109 for structural steel deliveries and setting beams.

(UPDATED 1-26-24) * 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
None to report.

INTERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)

None to report.

ROANOKE CITY

None to report.

ROANOKE COUNTY

(UPDATED 2-2-24) * SIDEWALK PROJECT ON SOUTHBOUND WILLIAMSON ROAD IN HOLLINS AREA - Work is underway on a project to construct new sidewalk along the section of southbound Route 11 (Williamson Road) between Plantation Road and Peters Creek Road. Drivers in the Hollins area can expect periodic right lane closures on southbound Williamson Road between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. As work progresses, occasional nighttime lane closures also will be scheduled. The sidewalk project is expected to be completed in summer 2024.

(UPDATED 2-2-24) * 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. Flagging operations will be in place daily with occasional slow rolls during nighttime hours are possible to stop traffic for up to 15 minutes at a time for setting bridge beams.

(UPDATED 1-26-24) * STARKEY ROAD AND BUCK MOUNTAIN ROAD ROUNDABOUT – A road project to construct a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Route 904 (Starkey Road) and Route 679 (Buck Mountain Road) is in progress. The new roundabout is now open to traffic and drivers should be aware of the new roundabout configuration. There will be occasional flagging operations in place between the 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the intersection of Starkey Road and Buck Mountain Road, drivers should still expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic for final paving, additional concrete pouring and pavement marking until the project is finished. Final completion is expected in late spring 2024.

LANE CLOSURES WITH FLAGGING OPERATIONS: Lane closure times of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. have resumed due to school now being in session.
ROUNDABOUT: The roundabout configuration has been set up. This means drivers should continue around the circle without turning left and that drivers in the circle have the right of way.

(UPDATED 1-26-24) * BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSURES IN ROANOKE AREA - Blue Ridge Parkway will be repairing slope failures and road closures with detours may be in place. Visit their website at www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm for more information.

(UPDATED 11-23-23) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE - Mountain Valley Pipeline is expected to begin full construction again by mid-July. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the remainder of the project (with a tentative completion date of February 2024) to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is February 2024.

BEDFORD COUNTY

(UPDATED 1-26-24) * ROUTE 608 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Work has been underway for a bridge replacement on Route 608. The bridge is located 0.20 mile south from Route 793 (Watson Road) to42.30 miles north from Route 122 (Moneta Road). The road is closed and a detour is in place. The road is scheduled to reopen in April 2024.

(NEW 1-26-24) * ROUTE 695 PIPE REPLACEMENT - Effective Monday, January 29, 2024, a section of Route 695 (Goose Creek Valley Road) will be closed for a pipe replacement. The closure is located 0.70 mile north of Route 741 (Beale Trail Road) and 0.20 miles south of Route 696 (Crouch Road). Work is scheduled for completion by approximately 5 p.m. on Friday, March 1.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

None to report.

CARROLL COUNTY

None to report.

CRAIG COUNTY

(UPDATED 11-3-23) * 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 February 2024.

FLOYD COUNTY

None to report.

FRANKLIN COUNTY
(NEW 2-2-24) * ROUTE 890 CLOSED FOR BRIDGE REPAIRS - The Route 890 (Snow Creek Road) bridge over the Pigg River, east of Penhook, is closed for an emergency bridge repairs due to flooding. Bridge staff have assessed the damage to the bridge and established a tentative time frame to complete repairs. Drivers will need to seek alternate routes. Possible routes for the eastbound detour is Route 629 (Hatchett Road) to Route 809 (Museville Road/Columbus Road) into Pittsylvania County to Route 626 (Museville Road) to Route 40. The westbound detour is the reverse. Weather permitting, the current estimated time to reopen the bridge is late March 2024.

(NEW 2-2-24) * ROUTE 634 CLOSURE - Effective Monday, February 26, a section of Route 634 (Eton Road), will be closed for pipe repairs. The closure is located 0.9 mile south of Route 1535 (Meadow Drive) and 0.4 mile north of Route 678 (Edwardsville Road). Work is scheduled to be completed by Friday, March 22.

(UPDATED 2-2-24) * ROUTE 629 CLOSED FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT – Effective Monday, February 5, 2024, a section of Route 629 (Hatchett Road) will be closed for a pipe replacement. The closure is located 0.2 mile east of Route 651 (Walker Road) and 2.1 miles west of Route 969 (Danville Turnpike). Work is scheduled for completion by approximately 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024.

GILES COUNTY
(NEW 1-19-24) * ROUTE 749 LOW WATER STRUCTURE REPAIR OVER BIG WALKER CREEK - Beginning January 17, 2024, work will begin on Route 749 (Patterson Ford Road) repairing the low water structure over Big Walker Creek. Flagging operations will be used for temporary closures as construction begins. No earlier than April 1, daily closures will be in place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. Signage will alert traffic. Estimated completion date is late fall 2024.

HENRY COUNTY

(UPDATED 2-2-24) * ROUTE 220 BUSINESS BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER REED CREEK – Construction is underway on the Route 220 Business bridge replacement over Reed Creek project. It is located on Route 220 Business over Reed Creek approximately 0.4 miles east of the Route 220 and Route 220 Business intersection. The bridge work requires the northbound bridge being restricted to one lane of travel across the bridge throughout the duration of the project. Traffic has been switched to the new lane with traffic using one lane to travel in both directions. The bridge will have a width restriction in place of 13’ 6” and lane closures will be in place. Message boards will be in place to alert drivers. Expected completion date is late summer 2024.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

(UPDATED 2-2-24) * WATERLINE PROJECT TO IMPACT TRAFFIC - Intermittent lane closures are in place on Route 658 (Meadow Creek Road), Route 693 (Childress Road) between Meadow Creek Road and Route 8 (Riner Road) between Meadow Creek Road and Route 1097 (Turnberry Lane) for a water line infrastructure project. Expected completion in late 2024.

PATRICK COUNTY
(UPDATED 1-26-24) * 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 TRAFFIC PATTERN – The new traffic pattern on a 0.4-mile section of RT 58 in Patrick County, 1.8 miles east of Cloudbreak Road, is in place. Traffic in a curve on the road widening project is using a straighter section of Route 58 with a shoulder. This slight shift will remain for about a year. Flaggers may be in place.
TRUCK ESCAPE RAMP CLOSURE: The escape ramp located 2.9 miles east of the Lovers Leap Overlook/Fred Clifton Park and 1.1 miles east of Dehart Botanical Gardens has been permanently closed. Please be aware of brake check points along Route 58 and check your brakes frequently. A brake check point is located 0.6 miles east of Route 610 (Cloudbreak Road) near Poor Farmer’s Farm. All trucks MUST check their brakes prior to traveling down the mountain.
BLASTING NOTICE: Blasting operations are underway on the project. Intermittent blasting will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays and continue at various locations on the project through summer 2025. For blasting that is close to Route 58, traffic in both directions may be blocked for approximately 15-20 minutes at a time. Drive and residents along the Route 58 corridor should expect loud noise and allow extra travel time. Electronic message boards will be used to inform drivers of scheduled blasting that will impact traffic.
DETOUR SIGNS: While detour signs in a fluorescent pink color are in place, these do not designate a permanent or scheduled detour. The signed detour route is suitable for all traffic during incidents including tractor-trailers and other large vehicles. These signs are used for incident detours only.

PULASKI COUNTY

(UPDATED 9-1-23) * OLD ROUTE 100 DRAINAGE REPAIR – Old Route 100 (F-047) is open to two-way traffic. Emergency drainage repairs are ongoing so drivers may see work still underway. The extensive repairs have no estimated time for completion. Limited impacts to traffic but periodic delays are possible.

Last updated: November 18, 2024

ROADWATCH: February 2 - 9, 2024

Jen Ward