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

***Exit 32 – safety project: Safety improvements on a portion of northbound Interstate 81 at exit 32 in Washington County were completed last week and work will begin southbound Monday (April 13). The safety improvement project creates the need to close a lane northbound to allow crews to mill, pave and add guardrail at the location. During the southbound lane closure, the southbound on ramp at exit 32 will be closed. Use caution in this area and be alert to the possibility of delays while improvements are being made. (Completion: May 2020)

***Interstate 81 Exit 26 at Emory: A project to lengthen the acceleration/deceleration on southbound Interstate 81 exit 26 at Emory in Smyth County will begin Tuesday (April 14). The project begins with one of two 56-hour lane closures beginning Tuesday morning, allowing crews to remove the current shoulder down 18 inches and build it back to the current elevation. The majority of activities for the project will occur along VDOT’s right of way; however, motorists should be alert to workers and heavy equipment in the area. (Completion: late June 2020)

***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. To ensure safety during a concrete pour in the median area, be alert to lane closures in the work zone from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday (April 14 and 15). Be alert to lane shifts and nighttime lane closures on the interstate, as well periodic lane closures on Route 11. The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)

Interstate 81 – bridges over Reed Creek: Be alert to an altered traffic pattern on Interstate 81 at the bridges over Reed Creek in Wythe County due to replacement of the bridges. The travel lanes are restricted to two, 11-foot-wide lanes with left and right shoulder closures. The bridges are located about one-mile north of the I-77 split at I-81 exit 81. Be advised the speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph, and the northbound lanes are restricted to two, 11-foot-wide travel lanes with the left and right shoulders closed. Allow extra travel time and watch out for workers. (Completion: Fall 2021)

***Interstate 81 – bridges over Mulberry Lane: Due to the project to replace the Interstate 81 bridges over Route 686 (Mulberry Lane) in Smyth County near exit 50, be alert to traffic shifts in the work zone. I-81 is restricted to two, 11-foot-wide lanes in each direction and the left and right shoulders are closed. Additionally, Mulberry Lane is closed underneath the interstate. Pay close attention to detour signs directing traffic around the closed portion of Mulberry Lane. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. Anticipate lane closures on I-81 during the overnight hours during construction. (Completion: Fall 2020)

***Interstates 81 maintenance activities: Be alert to the following lane closures along Interstates 81 and 77 this week: Interstate 81

• Day and nighttime lane closures due to paving southbound between mile markers 32 and 31 in the Glade Spring area of Washington County and between mile markers 28 and 25 in the Emory and Meadowview areas of Washington County
• A 24/7 lane closure through late April is in place on Interstate 81 southbound near exit 35 in the Chilhowie area due to bridge patching
• Daytime bridge deck repairs southbound near mile 36 in the Chilhowie area of Smyth County.
• Nighttime bridge deck repairs at various locations southbound between Marion in Smyth County and near Emory in Washington County.
• Nighttime bridge repairs northbound near exit 45 in the Marion area of Smyth County.
• Daytime lane closures between mile markers 42 and 47 in Smyth County due to guardrail work.

Interstate 77

• Daytime bridge deck repairs north and southbound between mile markers 57 and 59 in Bland County
• Nighttime lane closures on northbound I-77 at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel due to washing of the tunnel walls. Wide loads over 12-feet must stop before entering the tunnel if the lane closure is in place

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Bland County

Route 607 (Burton’s Pond Road): The Route 607 (Burton’s Pond Road) bridge over Kimberling Creek in Bland County is closed until June 10 to allow crews to replace the bridge. The bridge is located 1.5 miles from Route 606 (Wilderness Road) and 1.15 miles from Route 680 (Price Ridge Road). (Completion: June 2020) 

Buchanan County

***Slide Repairs: Due to recent flooding, be alert to slide repairs and a lane closure on Route 460 in the Big Rock area of Buchanan County, approximately one-mile west of Route 700 and 1.3 miles east of Route 645. (Completion: May 2020)

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: A portion of Route 615 (Hoot Owl Street) in Buchanan County closed in late January and will remain closed until approximately late July. The closure will ensure safety during construction of a portion of the Route 460/121 Poplar Creek A construction project. The closure will be located on Route 615 between its intersection at Route 604 (Poplar Creek Rd.) and Dogpound Rd. Detour routes during the closure are Routes 604 (Poplar Creek Rd.) and 617 (Little Prater Rd.), or to Vansant via Route 83 (Lovers Gap Rd.).

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

Slide repairs: Due to recent flooding, portions of the following routes in Dickenson County are down to one lane or closed until repairs can be made in the coming months:

• Route 614 (Cow Path Road) is closed 0.15 mile south of Route 739 (Completion: April 2020)
• Route 605 (Sandlick River Road) has one lane closed 0.65 mile west of Buchanan County line. (Completion: early May 2020)

Lee County

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)

Scott County

Slide Repairs: Be alert to slide repairs along Route 638 in Scott County, closing the route at the intersection of Route 58 through April 1. Route 58 will not be affected by the closure. Pay close attention to signs directing motorists around the area. (Completion: Spring 2020)

Route 682: The Route 682 bridge over Copper Creek in Scott County is closed for replacement. Motorists should be alert to detour signs while the bridge replacement project is underway. (Completion: spring 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)

Tazewell County

Slide Repairs: Due to recent flooding, be alert to slide repairs on Route 624 (Amonate Road) in Tazewell County, just south of the intersection of Route 643. Be alert to lane closures and flaggers in these areas until repairs are complete. (Completion: mid-April 2020)

Washington County

***Route 75: This week, be alert to the possibility of lane closures and workers along a portion of Route 75 near the Abingdon area, removing pavement markers and patching potholes in anticipation of latex paving in the coming weeks.  The work will take place between the Abingdon corporate limits and Route 672 in Washington County. (Completion: April 2020)  

***Route 91: This week, be alert to the possibility of lane closures and workers along Route 91 between Damascus and Meadowview in Washington County, removing pavement markers and patching potholes in anticipation of latex paving in the coming weeks. (Completion: April 2020)

Wise County

Route 23 - Slide Repairs: Due to extensive slide repairs along a portion of Route 23 southbound in Wise County, traffic is being detoured onto Route 823 (Old Indian Creek Road) in the Glamorgan area. Motorists are advised to use caution in this area and be alert to signage directing traffic through the detour. (Completion: April 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 23 bridge replacement at Weber City: Replacement of the Route 23 bridges over North Fork Holston River in the Weber City area of Scott County has been completed.

Slide Repairs: Repairs have been completed to Route 643 in Buchanan County. The slide was located 1.6 mile south of the intersection of Route 650.  (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.