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

***I-77 bridges over Cove Creek: Be alert to a project to replace the Interstate 77 bridges over Cove Creek in Wythe County, located about two miles north of Interstate 81. In the coming weeks, motorists can expect an altered traffic pattern on southbound I-77 and periodic nighttime lane closures. (Completion: early 2023)

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: Traffic is now traveling on the new I-81 north and southbound bridges over Route 686 (Mulberry Lane) in Smyth County near exit 50. However, in the coming weeks be alert to periodic lane closures due to finishing work. Mulberry Lane is closed underneath the interstate. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: November 2020)

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

Interstate 81

• Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound between mile marker 74 and exit 72 in Wythe County due to bridge deck repairs. Be alert to lane closures where I-81 meets I-77 north at exit 72.
• Daytime lane closures southbound between mile markers 64 and 66 in Wythe due to sign installation work.

Interstate 77

• Nighttime lane closures at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel southbound due to routine maintenance. Wide loads over 12-feet must stop before entering the tunnel when the nighttime lane closure is present.
  

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Buchanan County

***Route 83 – retaining wall repairs: Signals are controlling traffic on Route 83 in Buchanan County at the intersection of Route 716 due to retaining wall repairs. Use caution in this area and pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: early October 2020)

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.

Grayson County

Route 16 – bridge repairs: Temporary traffic signals are controlling one-way traffic on Route 16 in the Mouth of Wilson area due to bridge repairs. Use caution in this area and be alert to workers. (Completion: late 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: fall 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 601 (Hurricane Fork Road) slide repairs: Route 601 (Hurricane Fork Road) in Russell County will be closed from Route 621 (Sandy Ridge Road) to Route 618 (Rabbit Ridge Road) for approximately three weeks starting October 6. The closure is necessary to ensure safety during the work due to significant excavation work associated with this project. Motorists should detour using Route 621 (Sandy Ridge Road), Route 600 (Wilder Road), and Route 618 (Rabbit Ridge Road). (Completion: late October 2020)

Route 80 from Rosedale to the Buchanan County Line: Be alert to a shoulder closure on Route 80 between Rosedale to the Buchanan County line, through the town of Honaker, due to work installing paved shoulders, rumble strips and line striping along the shoulder. Rumble strips are a safety enhancement that change the noise a vehicle’s tires make on the road, alerting drivers they are veering off the roadway. (Completion: November 2020)

Scott County

***Route 23 access improvements/Park and Ride: Be alert to a lane closure on southbound Route 23 in the Moccasin Gap area of Scott County due to an access management project. The project also includes adding a Park and Ride lot near the intersection of Route 23 and Route 619 (Filter Plant Road). The southbound closure will be 24/7. Pay close attention to work zone signs and watch for workers. Allow extra travel time, especially during morning and afternoon hours when commuter traffic volumes are high. (Completion: Fall 2021)

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)

Smyth County

***Route 694 (Crawfish Road): Due to a project to replace the Route 694 (Crawfish Road) bridge over Bear Creek in Smyth County, the bridge will be closed to traffic from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tuesday (September 29). The bridge will also be closed Wednesday (September 30) for paving. (Completion: September 30)
 

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 Tazewell County due to ditching, drainage and pavement improvements. (Completion: late September 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)

Completed

Route 717 (Robinson Road) – bridge replacement: Replacement of the Route 717 (Robinson Road) bridge over Sinking Creek in Washington County is complete.

Route 779 (Davis Hankins Lane) – roadway improvements: Roadway improvements along Route 779 (Davis Hankins Lane) in the Belfast Community of Russell County is complete; however, in the coming weeks be alert to crews putting down shoulder stone along the improved area. (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.