VDOT News - Bristol

BRISTOL – In an effort to keep motorists informed, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides weekly information about highway construction and maintenance projects in southwestern Virginia. When traveling through highway work zones, use caution and be alert to changes in traffic patterns and slow-moving or stopped traffic.

To help motorists take the guesswork out of travel plans, call VDOT’s 511 or visit http://www.511virginia.org for real-time traffic information.

Entries with asterisks (***) indicate the listing is new or the status of the project has changed since last week’s traffic alert.

INTERSTATE PROJECTS

***Interstate 81 Exit 17 – partial ramp closure: Be alert to a work along the shoulder of the Interstate 81 exit 17 northbound off ramp Monday (August 24) due to utility work.

***Interstate 81 – paving: Be alert to periodic lane closures due to paving on I-81 northbound between exits 67 and 70 in the Wytheville area of Wythe County from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. nightly Sunday through Wednesday nights.

Interstate 81 bridges at Atkins: A project to replace the Interstate 81 bridges near mile marker 52 in the Atkins area of Smyth County is underway. Be alert to shoulder closures through the work zone and the possibility of lane closures on Route 11 beneath the bridges. The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)

***Interstate 81 – bridges over Reed Creek: Due to replacement of the Interstate 81 bridges over Reed Creek in Wythe County, be alert to altered traffic patterns in the work zone. Traffic is restricted to two 11-foot-wide lanes with no shoulder. The bridges are located about one-mile north of the I-77 split at I-81 exit 81. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. Allow extra travel time and watch out for workers. (Completion: Fall 2021)

***Interstate 81 – bridges over Mulberry Lane: This week, be alert to traffic pattern changes in the work zone due to traffic being switched to the newly constructed I-81 northbound bridge over Route 686 (Mulberry Lane) in Smyth County near exit 50. Mulberry Lane is closed underneath the interstate. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. Anticipate lane closures on I-81 during the overnight hours during construction. (Completion: November 2020)

***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, be alert to the following activities along I-81:

• A wide load moving from near the Tennessee/Virginia state line to exit 243 in Virginia may impact traffic Monday (August 24) during daylight hours. Be alert to slowed traffic if you encounter the slow-moving wide load.
• Alternating lane closures on I-81 southbound between mile markers 79 and 76 in Wythe County due to traffic engineering activities.

No lane closures are scheduled for Interstate 77 in Bland and Wythe counties; however, be alert to activities along the shoulder such as debris removal and vegetation control activities.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Buchanan County

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: Construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A is underway in Buchanan County. Impacts on motorists are minimal because the majority of the work is on a new location; however, the project has created a permanent change for Route 614 (Woods Fork). Poplar Creek Phase A will split a portion of Route 614 and cul-de-sacs will be added on either end of Route 614 where it ends at the new highway, approximately 2.75 miles from Route 609 at Bull Creek and 1.25 miles from Route 604 at Poplar Creek. Access to the north and south ends of Route 614 will be via Routes 609 (Bull Creek Road) and 604 (Poplar Creek Road), respectively, which connect to Route 460 west of Grundy.

Dickenson County

***Intersection of Routes 83/63 – bridge repairs: Pay close attention to signals directing traffic at the intersection of Routes 83 and 63 in Dickenson County due to repairs to the bridge. Some turns in the work zone are prohibited due to safety. The turning restrictions are anticipated to be lifted in 3-4 weeks. Use caution in this area. (Completion: November 2020)

Lee County

Route 58 improvements: A project to install rumble strips and widening shoulders along Route 58 in Lee County is underway. The project is located between Route 70 and the intersection of Route 604. Be alert to workers and signs. (Completion: summer 2020)

Route 58 bridge over the Powell River: Due to replacement of the Route 58 bridge over the Powell River near Jonesville in Lee County, signals are controlling one-way traffic across the bridge. Use caution in this area and allow for slight travel delays. (Completion: fall 2021)

Russell County

Route 779 (Davis Hankins Lane) – roadway improvements: Be alert to flaggers and the possibility of delays along Route 779 (Davis Hankins Lane) in the Belfast Community of Russell County due to roadway improvements. (Completion: early October 2020)

Route 834 – Roadway Improvements: Anticipate the possibility of delays during daylight hours due to ditching, drainage and pavement improvements along Route 834 in Russell County. (Completion: August 2020)

Scott County

Pedestrian Signals – Gate City: Be alert to periodic, temporary lane closures at the intersection of Jones Street and Kane Street in Gate City due to the installation of pedestrian signals. Traffic will be controlled by uniformed flaggers during daytime lane closures. (Completion: August 2020)

Utility Installation: Be alert to utility installation work along Route 870 (Daniel Boone Road) and connecting secondary highways near Gate City.  The project is near the quarry pond and will extend westward to Route 789 (Sarah Circle). (Completion: February 2021)

Route 600 (Fairview Road): Be alert to water installation work and lane closures on Route 600 (Fairview Road) and connecting secondary routes in Scott County. (Completion: Fall 2020)

Utility Projects – various locations: Anticipate lane closures during daylight hours due to power line installation along U.S. Route 23 between Route 600 (Fairview Road) and Route 625 (Angler’s Way). (Completion: Summer 2020)

Smyth County

Route 655 – drainage work: Due to work to replace a triple line of pipe beneath Route 655 over Jerry’s Creek in the Stony Battery area of Smyth County, a portion of the road will be closed August 10 – 31. Be alert to message boards and detour signs. (Completion: October 31)

Tazewell County

***Route 19 (Virginia Avenue) bridge over Wrights Valley Creek (Bluefield): Be alert to an altered traffic pattern on Route 19 at the bridge over Wrights Valley Creek near Bluefield due to reconstruction of the bridge. Use caution in the area and pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: July 2021)

Route 783 – road improvements: Be alert to periodic delays on Route 783 in the Raven area of Tazewell County due to ditching, drainage and pavement improvements. (Completion: late August 2020)

***Route 777: Anticipate periodic delays on Route 777 in the Raven area of Tazewell County due to ditching, drainage and pavement improvements. (Completion: September 2020)

Washington County

Route 11 improvements: A project to install rumble strips and upgrade guardrail along Route 11 in Washington County is underway. The project is located between Route 767 and the intersection of Route 11 and Interstate 81 at exit 32. Be alert to workers and signs. (Completion: summer 2020)

Wise County

Route 23 – median shoulder improvements: Be alert to lane closures on Route 23 between Norton and Duffield due to a project to improve the median shoulder area. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: October 2020)

Route 68 (Exeter Road): Delays during daylight hours are possible on Route 68 (Exeter Road) near Appalachia due to a sewer line installation project. (Completion: Summer 2020)  

Completed

Route 67 – Pipe Replacement: The replacement of pipes along Route 67 in the Raven area of Tazewell County is complete; however, be alert to paving in the area in the coming weeks. Pay close attention to workers directing traffic during paving. (END)

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.