VDOT Holds Hearing for Orange Avenue (Route 460) Corridor Improvement Project in Roanoke

ROANOKE - The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) invites the public to attend a design public hearing for a project to improve traffic flow and enhance safety on the two-mile section of Orange Avenue (Route 460) that starts just east of Gainsboro Road NW and extends to just east of 24th Street NE.

The hearing will be held on Tuesday, November 18, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Berglund Hall at the Berglund Center located at 710 Williamson Road NE in Roanoke. The hearing will be held in an “open- house” format, and VDOT representatives will be present to answer questions.

This project involves modifying several intersections by constructing or providing turn lanes and adding sidewalks, curb ramps, pedestrian signals and crosswalks. The project also includes the following:

• Improving the off-ramps from southbound I-581 onto Orange Avenue and adding a signal to the off-ramp onto westbound Orange Avenue
• Improving the northbound I-581 ramps onto and from westbound Orange Avenue
• Modifying the 11th Street NE intersection so that drivers who currently turn left or proceed straight across Orange Avenue will turn right and use an alternative side street or make a U-turn at the next available crossover or signal
• Closing three median crossovers between 13th Street NE and 20th Street NE
• Modifying the intersections at Rhodes Avenue, Walton Street and 20th Street NE so drivers can only make right turns onto Orange Avenue
• Redirecting left turns from westbound Orange Avenue onto Rhodes Avenue to use alternate side streets or make a U-turn
• Constructing a cul-de-sac at Archbold Avenue’s intersection with 13th Street NE and extending Archbold Avenue 0.16 mile from 20th Street NE to 24th Street NE
• Redirecting Gus Nicks Boulevard traffic that currently drives straight across Orange Avenue to turn right or left and make a U-turn or use an alternative side street
• Redirecting left turns onto or from Orange Avenue at 24th Street NE to use an alternative side street

Comments about the project may be submitted at the hearing or until November 28, 2025, by mailing them to Phillip Hammack, Project Manager, 731 Harrison Avenue, Salem VA 24153. You may also email your comments to phillip.hammack@vdot.virginia.gov. Please reference “VDOT Orange Avenue Corridor Improvement” in the subject heading

Anyone requiring special assistance to attend and participate in this hearing may contact Phillip Hammack at 540-387-5353, 800-367-7623, TTY/TDD 711.