VDOT News - Bristol

Bristol, VA – This month, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Contractor Estes Brothers Construction, Inc., based out of Jonesville, Va., will begin a project to improve access along a portion of Route 23 in the Moccasin Gap/Gate City area of Scott County.

The $2.6 million construction project includes a Park & Ride lot at the intersection of Route 619 (Filter Plant Road), drainage improvements, installation of north and southbound left turn lanes at the intersection of Route 619, and the permanent closing off of six of the nine crossovers along Route 23 to improve safety.

Crossovers along this section of Route 23 that had no turn lanes were closed in October 2018 in an effort to improve safety, using temporary traffic control measures.

“Since closing the crossovers without turn lanes in 2018, accidents have decreased by over 90%,” VDOT Bristol Traffic Engineer Brian Holt, P.E., said. “With such a positive outcome safety wise, it makes sense to permanently close the crossovers by installing a concrete median.”

With Route 23 being one of the busiest routes in southwest Virginia for commuter traffic, motorists should allow extra travel time during morning and afternoon rush hours.

“Initially, there will be a permanent right lane closure on Route 23 southbound to facilitate the widening of Route 23 and to install a new drainage system,” VDOT Area Construction Engineer Todd Bolling, P.E., said. “Once that is complete, there will be a northbound right lane closure for construction of relocated Route 619 and the Park and Ride lot.”

The third phase of the project requires the closure of the passing lane in each direction to reconstruct the new median. Lastly, the fourth phase includes final paving and temporary lane closures.

“Drivers who regularly travel Route 23 know viable alternate routes involve very lengthy detours,” Bolling said. “We ask motorists to allow extra travel time while construction is underway because we do anticipate delays while the permanent lane closures are in place, especially during morning and afternoon hours when traffic is at its peak.”

The completion of the project is anticipated for September 2021.

Motorists can download the 511 Virginia app (iPhone and Android) or visit http://511Virginia.org to view travel alerts and congestion information prior to traveling. Project updates can be found on VDOT’s website at https://www.virginiadot.org/Route23GateCityImprovements/.  (END)

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