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: Be alert to nightly lane closures on Interstate 81 at exit 17 and on Route 75 beneath the interstate as part of the I-81 exit 17 improvement project. The exit 17 project includes improvements to the exit 17 northbound on and off ramps, improvements to a segment of Route 75, reconstruction and relocation of Gravel Lake Road, lengthening the I-81 southbound on ramp, and relocation of the frontage road located adjacent to the northbound exit 17 off ramp. The speed limit is 60mph through the work zone. (Completion: Spring 2023)

I-81 ramp extension projects (Smyth County): Be alert to nighttime lane closures due to the following ramp extension projects on I-81 in Smyth County:
• I-81 exit 39 north and southbound deceleration lane project in Smyth County.
• Be alert to a lane shift along exit 54 southbound, from the on ramp to the rest area at Groseclose. The project will extend the acceleration lane to tie in with the rest area deceleration lane. (Completion: November 2022)

Interstate 77 – Exit 64: Motorists should be alert to work underway to improve Interstate 77 at exit 64 in Bland County. The project includes maintenance repairs to the I-77 bridges over Route 61 and Clear Fork Creek and improvements to the exit 64 northbound and southbound ramps. (Completion: May 2023)

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 between mile markers 44 and 42. Motorists can expect an altered traffic pattern on southbound I-77 and periodic nighttime lane closures while work is underway. (Completion: early 2023)

***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, be alert to the following lane closures due to maintenance activities:
Interstate 81
- Nighttime paving northbound between mile markers 57 and 61 in Wythe County.
- Nighttime bridge inspection work southbound near exit 10 at the bridge over Route 808 and Sinking Creek in Washington County; northbound near mile marker 51 at the bridge over Mulberry Lane in Smyth County and northbound near exit 67 at the bridge over Reed Creek in Wythe County.
- Daytime shoulder repairs north and southbound near mile marker 68 in Wythe County.
- Daytime storm drain work northbound near exit 7 in Bristol is scheduled for August 31.
- Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound near exit 29 and southbound near mile marker 16 in Washington County; north and southbound near mile marker 46 and southbound near mile marker 49 in Smyth County; and north and southbound near mile marker 74 in Wythe County.
- Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound in the Wytheville and Fort Chiswell areas of Wythe County.
Interstate 77
- Nighttime lane closure northbound at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel. When a work zone is in place, wide loads over 12-feet must stop before entering the tunnel.
- Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound between exit 24 and the I-77/I-81 overlap in Wythe County.
- Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound near mile markers 27 and 30 in Wythe County.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:
Buchanan County
Route 627 (Youngs Branch): A portion of Route 627 (Youngs Branch) in Buchanan County is closed due to a retaining wall failure. The north end of Route 627 can be accessed from Route 83.

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: Construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A is underway in Buchanan County. Route 604 (Poplar Creek Road) is on a temporary alignment. The Poplar Creek Phase A project created a permanent change for Route 614 (Woods Fork). Access to the north and south ends of Route 614 is via Routes 609 (Bulls Creek Road) and Route 604 (Polar Creek Road), respectively, which connect to Route 460 west of Grundy.

Dickenson County
Route 80 bridge over Russell Fork River: Due to a project to rehabilitate the Route 80 (Sandlick Road) bridge over Russell Fork River in Dickenson County, motorists can expect temporary traffic signals controlling one-way traffic across the bridge. The bridge is located near the intersection of Route 605 (Russell Fork River Road). Use caution in this area and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: late 2022/early 2023)

Russell County
Route 615 bridge deck replacement: Due to replacement of the Route 615 bridge deck over Norfolk Southern Railroad near Lake Bonaventure in Russell County, the bridge is restricted to one 10-foot-wide lane and controlled by traffic signals. The bridge is located .17-mile from the intersection of Route 616. (Completion: September 2022)

Scott County
***Route 23 bridge over Speers Ferry: Due to work to rehabilitate the Route 23 bridge over Speers Ferry in Scott County, traffic has been shifted and crews are now working on the southbound bridge. Traffic is restricted to one, 11-foot-wide lane in each direction across the northbound bridge. Motorists are advised to use caution in this area, slow down and allow extra travel time. (Completion: July 2023)

Smyth County
***North Main Street in Marion: Norfolk & Southern Railroad has scheduled a complete rehabilitation of the railroad crossing on North Main Street near the train station in Marion for August 31 – September 1. The road will be closed during the rehabilitation project and traffic will use Johnson Road and Brunswick Lane to detour. (Completion: September 1)

Tazewell County
Route 631 (Indian Creek Road) bridge repairs: The Route 631 (Indian Creek Road) bridge over Indian Creek in the Cedar Bluff area of Tazewell County has reopened; however, be alert to repairs continuing and workers in the area for a few weeks. The bridge is located near the intersection of Old Kentucky Turnpike. (Completion: early September 2022)

Second Street (Route 67) Bridge over Clinch River in Richlands: Due to a bridge rehabilitation and repair project on Second Street (Route 67) in Richlands, the bridge over the Clinch River is restricted to one lane. The bridge is located west of the intersection of Allegheny Street. (Completion: November 2022)

Route 19: Be alert to daily delays on Route 19 near the Russell/Tazewell County line due to rolling roadblocks associated with blasting work. The work is due to establishing the intersection for Pure Salmon. (Completion: Summer 2022)

Washington County
***Route 694 (Stonybrook Road): Due to a bridge replacement project, a portion of Route 694 (Stonybrook Road) is closed through September 2. The bridge is located just under one mile from Route 11 and .30-mile from Route 609. Pay close attention to message boards. (Completion: September 2)

Route 11 bridge over Sinking Creek: Be alert to a traffic shift on Route 11 at the bridge over Sinking Creek in Washington County due to a project to replace the bridge. The bridge is located near the intersection of Route 808 (Halls Bottom Road) and the Dollar General. (Completion: October 2022)

Route 58 widening near Damascus: Due to Route 58 construction activities near Damascus, Zion Church Road where it connects to Route 58 will be closed weekdays beginning August 3 and taking place approximately 6 weeks. The closure will be in place most days between 7am Mondays - 5pm Fridays. Detour: Route 719 onto Rhea Valley Road. Virginia Creeper Trail users should be alert to the possibility of flaggers directing trail traffic. Trail users may experience periodic delays of 15-30 minutes near the bridge. (Completion: May 2024)

Wise County
Alternate Route 58 bridge rehabilitation: A project to rehabilitate the Alternate Route 58 bridge over the Guest River and Norfolk Southern Railroad in the City of Norton is underway. Use caution in this area and be alert to lane closures. (Completion: July 2023)

***Route 636 (Birchfield Road): Due to a bridge replacement project on Route 636 (Birchfield Road) in Wise, the bridge will be closed from 8 a.m. September 12 until 7 p.m. September 26. Be alert to detour signs while the closure is in place. (Completion: September 26)

Route 23 at Alternate Route 58 in Norton: Be alert to workers performing ramp and interchange improvements on Route 23 at Alternate Route 58 in Norton. Beginning August 1, be alert to a permanent change from the current free flow right turn from Alternate Route 58 onto the northbound Route 23 on ramp. The current yield sign will be replaced with a stop sign to improve safety at this location. (Completion: September 2022)

Business Route 23 in Wise: A project to widen a portion of Business Route 23 in the Town of Wise between Route 23 at McDonald’s and Cherry Street is underway. Pay close attention to flaggers and allow extra travel time. (Completion: early November 2023)

Alternate Route 58 bridge repairs: Bridge repairs are underway on eastbound Route 58 in Wise County at the bridge over Bear Creek in the Norton area. Pay close attention to signs and watch out for workers. (Completion: October 2022)

Wythe County
Route 619 bridge: Due to replacement of the Route 619 bridge over Interstate 81 exit 84 in Wythe County, motorists should be alert to one-lane traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals across the Route 619 bridge. Be alert to the possibility of slight delays on I-81 due to the bridge work above the interstate. (Completion: December 2023)

Completed
Route 605 (Main Street): The bridge replacement project on Route 605 (Main Street) in Bland County is complete.

Route 723 bridge project: The project to replace the deck of the Route 723 (Possum Hollow Road) bridge in Smyth County is complete.

Raised Pavement Markers - Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties: Nighttime operations due to the placement of raised pavement markers is complete in Buchanan, Russell and Tazewell counties.

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.