Salem District Roadwatch: April 5-12, 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:
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
(NEW 4-5-24) * I-81 SOUTHBOUND LANE CLOSURES SCHEDULED IN SALEM INCLUDES DAY OF ECLIPSE NEXT WEEK - As work continues on the I-81 project in Salem from mile marker 141 to 137, southbound lane closures have been scheduled for next week that may impact travelers traveling southbound after the eclipse event has ended on Monday, April 8. Drivers should consider alternate routes as heavy traffic is expected in the area after eclipse.
Beginning Monday, April 8 through Thursday, April 11, I-81 southbound will have lane closures in place, reducing I-81 to one lane of travel, from mile marker 139 to 137 for paving operations from 7 p.m. through 6 a.m. the following morning. Message boards will be in place to provide information for the traveling public and drivers are reminded that the speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. Drivers may experience delays in the area and should use caution in the work zone.
(UPDATED 4-5-24) * 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:
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 4-5-24) UPCOMING I-81 NB & SB BRIDGE REHAB OVER ROUTE 100 AT EXIT 98 – Beginning on April 9, 2024, work will begin on I-81 rehabbing the northbound and southbound bridges over Route 100 at Exit 98. Lane and shoulder closures may be in place on Route 100 north and on I-81 northbound and southbound, 8 p.m. to 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.
(NEW 4-5-24) I-81 NB & SB DECK OVERLAY AT PEAK CREEK MILE MARKER 95.7 -On April 22, 2024, repair work will begin 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. This project has a contract completion date of December 6, 2024.
(UPDATED 4-5-24) * 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.
(UPDATED 3-15-24) * 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 4-5-24) * 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.
(NEW 3-22-24) * ROANOKE GAS UTILITY WORK - Roanoke Gas is renewing gas lines along Route 1306 (Bower Road) and Route 1371 (Hyde Park Drive). This utility work will be done under pavement and will require milling and pavement replacement in the affected lanes. Estimated completion is scheduled for the end of April 2024.
(UPDATED 4-5-24) * 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 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Occasional slow rolls during nighttime hours are possible to stop traffic for up to 15 minutes at a time for setting bridge beams. 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.
(UPDATED 4-5-24) * 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 nearing completion. The new roundabout is open to traffic and drivers should be aware of the new roundabout configuration. There will be limited flagging operations in place between the 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the intersection of Starkey Road and Buck Mountain Road, drivers may expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic for installation of lighting, landscaping and demobilization activities until the project is finished. Final completion is expected in early spring 2024.
(UPDATED 3-22-24) * 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 3-8-23) * 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 June 2024.
BEDFORD COUNTY
(UPDATED 3-15-24) * 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.
(UPDATED 3-15-24) * 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 18, 2024.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
None at this time.
CARROLL COUNTY
(UPDATED 4-5-23) * ROUTE 94 PAVING OPERATIONS - Deep milling and patch paving operations are underway on Route 94. Drivers should expect lane closures on southbound lanes from Grayson County line to Route 602 at the norther Grayson County line during the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
(NEW 3-22-23) * ROUTE 742 CLOSED FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT - Beginning Monday, April 8, 2024, Route 742 (Monarat Road) will be closed to through traffic from Route 740 (Oak Grove Road) to Route 735 (Buck Woods Road) to perform a pipe replacement. 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, April 19, 2024.
CRAIG COUNTY
(UPDATED 3-8-23) * 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 June 2024.
FLOYD COUNTY
None to report.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
(UPDATED 3-8-23) * 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 June 2024.
GILES COUNTY
(UPDATED 4-5-24) * 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.
(UPDATED 3-8-23) * 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 June 2024.
HENRY COUNTY
(UPDATED 3-22-24) * 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 3-15-24) * 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.
(UPDATED 3-8-23) * 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 June 2024.
PATRICK COUNTY
(UPDATED 3-22-24) * 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.
PULASKI COUNTY
(UPDATED 3-22-24) * ROUTE 11 PAVING OPERATIONS – On March 4, paving operations began on Route 11 during the hours of 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. State Police will assist through intersections along the stretch of roadway.
Last updated: September 3, 2024