RoadWatch: September 6-13, 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 511 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    

(NEW 9-6-24) * I-581 PAVING & PATCHING OPERATIONS WITH RAMP CLOSURES – Weather permitting, on Monday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 10, crews will perform paving and patching operations from mile marker 1 to 3 on I-581 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Lane closures will be in place and during this time, the on-ramp from Hershberger Road to I-581 will be closed. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

 

(UPDATED 9-6-24) * 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:

• LANE CLOSURES - Northbound and southbound possible for various work on the project during nighttime hours.
• 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 periodic lane closures or quick merges into traffic onto Thompson Memorial Drive from the southbound or northbound exit ramps of exit 140 off of I-81. 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. 

 

(UPDATED 9-6-24) 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 scheduled for end of 2024.

• Alternating nighttime northbound left lane closures and southbound right lane closures may be in place during the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.

 

(UPDATED 9-6-24) * 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.

• LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime alternating lane closures are possible on I-81 northbound or southbound between mile markers 104-106.
• 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: 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 7-19-24) * 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 8-16-24) * 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 9-6-24) * 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 9-6-24) * 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.

• DELAYS POSSIBLE – During one of the days of the week of September 9, construction activities are scheduled to include a flagging operation on Route 311 between the hours of 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. for a concrete pour. Drivers should watch message boards on Route 311 at the bridge for details on what day work will take place.

 

(UPDATED 5-31-24) * 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

(UPDATED 8-30-24) * MULTIPLE CLOSURES PLANNED ON ROUTE 666 (Buffalo Run) - During the next three months, four separate locations on Route 688 (Buffalo Run) will be closed for 10 separate pipe replacements along the roadway. These closures dates are planned as follows:

 

• On Monday, August 12, Route 688 will be closed from Route 689 (Irving Road) to the private road of Meadow Creek Drive. The estimated completion date is Friday, September 6.
• On Monday, September 9, Route 688 will be closed from the private road, Meadow Creek Drive to Route 685 (Breezy Ridge Road). The estimated completion date is Wednesday, September 25.
• On Thursday, September 26, Route 688 will be closed from Route 685 (Breezy Ridge Road) to Route 692 (Cool Springs Road). The estimated completion date is Wednesday, October 2.
• On Thursday, October 03, Route 688 will be closed from Route 692 (Cool Springs Road) to Route 686 (Taylor Mountain Road). The estimated completion date is Thursday, October 25.
• On Monday, October 28, Route 688 will be closed from Route 686 (Taylor Mountain Road) to Route 684 (Penicks Mill Road). The estimated completion date is Tuesday, November 5.

 

All closure dates are estimated and weather permitting. Message boards will be in place to alert traffic and will be updated if dates change.

 

(UPDATED 8-30-24) * ROUTE 639 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT - Effective Monday, August 19, a section of Route 639 (Hurricane Drive) will be closed for a bridge replacement. The bridge is located 0.64 miles north of Route 643 (Otterville Road) and 3.35 miles south of Route 122 (Big Island Highway). Work is scheduled for completion by approximately Thursday, September 12.

 

(UPDATED 6-21-24) * ROUTE 635 RURAL RUSTIC RESURFACING - Construction is underway for a rural rustic resurfacing on Route 635 (Jeter’s Chapel Road) for approximately 1.62 miles. There will be flagging operations during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. throughout construction. Estimated completion for this project is scheduled for October 2024.

 

(UPDATED 7-12-24) * ROUTE 755 CLOSURE – POSTPONED until further notice. A section of Route 755 (Union Church Road) will be closed for a slab installation. The structure is located 1.35 miles from Route 689 (Johnson School Road) and 0.35 mile from Route 690 (Nester Road).

 

BOTETOURT COUNTY

(UPDATED 8-30-24) * 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:

• TRAFFIC SWITCH:
  • The left lane of southbound Route 220 is closed and will remain closed until later this year. In addition, northbound Route 220 traffic will remain reduced to one lane but will be shifted into the right lane. A 45 mph work zone speed limit will go into effect on southbound Route 220 and remain in effect on northbound Route 220.
  • In addition, a new traffic pattern is in place on Ashley Way and International Parkway. Drivers will not be able to turn left from Ashley Way onto southbound Route 220 or turn left from International Parkway onto northbound Route 220. Motorists who normally turn left can turn right and proceed to make a U-turn on Route 220 using an available crossover.
  • An alternative route is available for International Parkway traffic that normally turns left onto northbound Route 220. Those drivers can turn right on southbound Route 220, turn left onto Route 673 (Greenfield Street) and then turn left onto Route 670 (Trinity Road) to return to northbound Route 220.
• Drivers who use the Route 839 (International Parkway) and Route 220 intersection can expect changes on weekdays during daytime hours. The change will affect drivers who turn right from Route 220 southbound into International Parkway or turn right from International Parkway onto southbound Route 220.The dual right turn lanes that are currently in place may be reduced to a single lane between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays until late July. Drivers should expect possible delays and pay attention to traffic control devices.
• Northbound Route 220 approaching the intersection will be reduced to one lane. Drivers on northbound Route 220 will still be able to turn left onto International Parkway and right onto Ashley Way.
• The crossover located 0.2 mile south of the intersection will be closed.
• Vehicles from Ashley Way will use a single lane to go straight or to turn left or right onto Route 220.
• Speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the work zone.

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. Estimaed completion is summer 2025.

 

CARROLL COUNTY

(UPDATED 8-16-24) * HILLSVILLE BYPASS PAVING AT ROUTE 58 – Milling and paving operations are being performed on the ramps of Hillsville Bypass at Route 58 during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Flagging operations may be in place with temporary closures and a detour while paving. Delays are possible.

 

(NEW 8-30-24) * ROUTE 1007 CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC - Beginning Tuesday, September 10, 2024, a portion of Route 1007 (Archa Street) will be closed to through traffic from Route 1024 (Dogwood Drive) to Route 52 (South Main Street) for a pipe replacement. During this time, a detour will be utilized and directional signs will be in place to assist the traveling public. Weather permitting, the road will re-open to traffic on Friday, September 20, 2024.

 

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 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
(UPDATED 8-16-24) * ROUTE 749 LOW WATER STRUCTURE REPAIR OVER BIG WALKER CREEK - Work is underway on Route 749 (Patterson Ford Road) to repair 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.

• Daily bridge closures will be in place between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except during holidays. Bridge closures are estimated to be in place until September 8, 2024.

 

(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

(NEW 6-28-24) * BRIDGE WORK OPERATIONS ON ROUTE 220 – Bridge work maintenance will be performed on Route 220 southbound and northbound in the following locations with alternating lane closures during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., during the week.

• Route 220 southbound (Greensboro Road) from the Intersection of Route 58 and Route 220 and to Water Plant Road. 
• Route 220 northbound between Joseph Martin Hwy and Dillions Fork Road. 

 

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 8-30-24) * 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, 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 in place until further notice. 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.

 

(NEW 8-30-24) * ROUTE 635 CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC - Beginning Monday, September 9, 2024, a portion of Route 635 (Goblintown Creek Road) will be closed to through traffic from 0.10 mile from Route 57 (Fairystone Park Highway) to 0.40 mile from Route 788 (Thomas Farm Road)  for a bridge repair over Goblintown  Creek. During this time, a detour will be utilized and directional signs will be in place to assist the traveling public. Weather permitting, the road will re-open to traffic on Thursday, September 19, 2024.

 

(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 to report.