Salem District RoadWatch: July 12 -19, 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
(UPDATED 7-12-24) * 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 7-12-24) 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.
(UPDATED 7-12-24) * 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 5-31-24) * 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)
(NEW 7-12-24) * I-77 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will perform paving operations on Interstate I-77 between mile markers 4 and 10. Right and center lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound, Monday through Friday, during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
(UPDATED 6-21-24) * 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 6-21-24) * HIGHLAND ROAD CLOSED FOR GREENWAY CONSTRUCTION – Beginning June 18, Highland Road will be closed between Hogan Road and Rutrough Road for construction of the Roanoke River Greenway through the Blue Ridge Parkway underpass by Roanoke County. The roadway will reopen by August 14, 2024, before the first day of school for Roanoke County Public Schools.
(UPDATED 7-12-24) * 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.
(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 5-31-24) * 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 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.
(NEW 7-12-24) * ROUTE 755 CLOSURE - Effective Tuesday, July 16, 2024, 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. Work is scheduled for completion by approximately Thursday, July 18, 2024.
(UPDATED 6-14-24) * ROUTE 643 CLOSURE - Effective Monday, June 24, 2024, a section of Rte. 643 (Otterville Road) will be closed for pipe replacements. The structures are located 1.04 miles east of Route 122 (Big Island Highway) and 0.90 mile west of Rte. 674 (Lazenbury Road). Work is scheduled for completion by approximately Friday, August 2, 2024.
(UPDATED 7-12-24) * ROUTE 635 CLOSURES FOR SEVERAL PIPE INSTALLATIONS - Within the next 30 days, a section of Route 635 (Jeters Chapel Road) will be closed for a pipe installation. The closure is located 0.20 mile east of Route 603 (Mountain Top Lane) and extends to a point 0.90 mile east of Route 603 (Mountain Top Lane). Closures will begin at 8 a.m. on each start date and the road will remain closed continuously through 5 p.m. The last closure date for the road will be as follows:
BOTETOURT COUNTY
(UPDATED 7-12-24) * 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. Estimaed completion is summer 2025.
CARROLL COUNTY
(UPDATED 7-12-24) * ROUTE 52 PAVING & MARKING – Paving operations are complete and marking operations will be underway on Route 52 between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Flagging operations are in place and may cause delays. Drivers should consider alternate routes.
(UPDATED 6-21-24) * ROUTE 52 PAVING FANCY GAP/HILLSVILLE – Paving operations are underway on Route 52 between Fancy Gap and Hillsville and during daytime hours of 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. Flagging operations may be in place. Delays are possible.
CRAIG COUNTY
(UPDATED 5-31-24) * 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
(NEW 6-14-24) * ROUTE 787 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT - Beginning Monday, July 15, 2024, a portion of Route 787 (Indian Valley Road) will be closed from 0.61 mile south of Route 749 for a bridge replacement over Greasy Creek. During this time, a detour will be in place and signage will alert traffic. Weather permitting, the road will re-open to traffic on Friday, August 9, 2024.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
(NEW 6-21-24) * ROUTE 718 CLOSURE - Effective Monday, July 8, a section of Route 718 (McNeil Road) will be closed for a pipe replacement. The closure is located 2.71 miles east of Route 220 (Virgil H Goode Highway) and 3.52 miles west of Route 619 (Sontag Road).
Work is scheduled for completion by approximately Friday, August 2, 2024.
(UPDATED 5-31-24) * 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 5-24-24) * 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 5-31-24) * 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
(UPDATED 7-12-24) * 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.
(NEW 7-12-24) * ROUTE 58/220 INTERCHANGE TO UNDERGO A PIPE REPLACEMENT - Beginning Monday, July 15, 2024, Route 58 (A. L. Philpott Highway) at the interchange of Route 220 Business (Greensboro Road), VDOT will be replacing a cross pipe which extends under three of the ramps at this interchange. Various traffic shifts will take place. During this time, message boards, traffic signs and barriers will be in place to direct the traveling public. Weather permitting, this work should be complete on or before Friday, July 26, 2024.
(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.
(NEW 6-28-24) * ROUTE 670 CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC - Beginning Monday, July 8, Route 670 (Cool Springs Road) will be closed to through traffic for slope repairs each day, Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. During this time, signs and traffic barriers will be placed and removed daily from work area. Weather permitting, the road is expected to reopen Monday, July 22.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
(NEW 6-21-24) * ROUTE 787 (DRY VALLEY ROAD) BRIDGE CLOSURE - Effective Monday, July 15 at 9 a.m., a section of Route 787 (Dry Valley Road) will be closed for bridge work over Meadow Creek. The closure is located 2.45 miles from Route 665 and 2.25 miles from Route 693. Drivers will need to seek alternate routes. Weather permitting, the road is expected to reopen Monday, August 12, 2024.
(UPDATED 6-28-24) * ROUTE 114 PAVING OPERATIONS PROJECT – Paving operations that include patching and milling are underway on Route114 during nighttime hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning, Sunday through Thursday. Flagging operations may be in place. Drivers may experience a rough road surface as the process to repair the road progresses. Delays in the area are possible.
(UPDATED 5-31-24) * 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 6-28-24) * 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.
PULASKI COUNTY
None to report.
Last updated: December 9, 2024