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 acceleration lane at exit 72: Work is underway to extend the Interstate 81 acceleration lane at exit 72 to the deceleration lane at exit 73 in Wythe County. This safety improvement will provide additional space for vehicles merging off and on Interstate 81 between exits 72 and 73. (Completion: summer 2019)

Interstate 81 – bridges over Reed Creek: Due to replacement of the Interstate 81 bridges over Reed Creek in Wythe County, anticipate periodic nighttime lane closures northbound. 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. The southbound left shoulder is 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, Mulberry Lane is closed underneath the interstate. Pay close attention to detour signs directing traffic around the closed portion of Mulberry Lane. 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. The southbound left shoulder is closed. Anticipate lane closures on I-81 during the overnight hours during construction. (Completion: Fall 2020)

***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: Be alert to the following maintenance activities this week:

Interstate 77

• Nightly lane closures in Bland County from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. at I-77 Big Walker Mountain Tunnel northbound and at I-77 East River Mountain Tunnel northbound and southbound due to tunnel washing. While lane closures are in place, trucks over 12-feet-wide must stop before entering the tunnel.
• Daytime lane closures on I-77 northbound between mile markers 25 and 33 due to roadway sweeping.

Interstate 81

• Daytime lane closures possible on I-81 southbound near exits 3 and 10 due to sign repairs
• Daytime lane closures northbound due to brush removal between mile marker 65 and exit 72 in Wythe County.

Virginia’s Move Over Law applies to vehicles with amber lights, including VDOT vehicles and the vehicles of its contractors. On a highway having at least four lanes, if you see vehicles with amber lights along the shoulder move safely to the adjacent lane. If changing lanes is unreasonable or unsafe, slow down and proceed with caution.  

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Bland County Route 598 (East River Mountain): Work is underway to repair a slide area on Route 589 in Bland County. The road is closed until repairs are finalized. Motorists can use Interstate 77 as a detour until repairs are complete. (Completion: April 2019) Buchanan County

Route 609 at intersection of Route 460 Connector Phase II: Due to construction of the 460 Connector Phase II, motorists should be alert to the possibility of flaggers periodically directing traffic where the road intersects with Route 609. The Route 460 Connector Phase II is a 6.2-mile limited access highway being built almost entirely on a new location.  Phase II is located between the U.S. Route 460 Connector Phase I, near Breaks Interstate Park, Route 460 and a connection with proposed Route 121 in Buchanan County. 

Dickenson County

***Route 652 – slide repairs: Route 652 (Dr. Ralph Stanley Highway) in Dickenson County is one lane until shoulder and slope repairs are finalized. The closure is located just north of Route 643. The route is down to one lane and one-lane traffic is being controlled by temporary signals. (Completion: early April 2019) Sewer line installation - Route 83 and connecting secondary routes: Sewer line installation work is underway along Route 83 and connecting secondary routes in Dickenson County, between Clintwood and the Wise County line. Use caution in this area and pay close attention to workers in the work zone. (Completion: Summer 2019)

Lee County

Route 352 (Saint Charles Road) – water line: Delays may be possible during daylight hours on Route 352 (Saint Charles Road) due to water line installation work. The project begins at the intersection of Route 421 and extends north approximately 6,500 feet. (Completion: early fall 2019)

Scott County

Route 224: Due to efforts to straighten a portion of Route 224 in Scott County, be alert to periodic delays and flagging operations. Watch out for highway workers. (Completion: July 2019)

Route 627 bridge replacement: Due to construction of a new Route 627 bridge over Copper Creek in Scott County that is being constructed upstream from the current bridge, motorists should use caution in this area. Be alert to flaggers in the work zone. (Completion: July 2019)

Utility Projects – various locations: Anticipate lane closures during daylight hours due to power line installation along U.S. Route 23 between Route 58 at Duffield and Route 871 (Natural Tunnel Parkway). (Completion: winter 2019)

Route 23 bridge replacement at Weber City: Due to replacement of the Route 23 bridges over North Fork Holston River in the Weber City area of Scott County, motorists can expect one-lane traffic and a 12-foot-width restriction in each direction. The speed limit in the work zone is 35 mph. (Completion: Summer 2019)

Tazewell County

Route 609 bridge over Little River at Wardell: A project to reconstruct the Route 609 bridge over Little River in the Wardell area of Tazewell County is underway. Use caution in this area and be alert to signals controlling one-way traffic that is restricted to 10-feet-wide across the bridge. (Completion: October 2019)

Route 460 bridge over Town Hill Creek - Richlands: Motorists should be alert to an altered traffic pattern due to reconstruction of the Route 460 bridge over Town Hill Creek in Richlands. Use caution in this area. (Completion: June 2019) 

Washington County

Route 677 bridge replacement: The Route 677 (Green Spring Church Road) bridge in Washington County is closed until fall 2019 for replacement. Route 658 (Lombardy Road) will serve as the detour route during construction. The bridge is located just east of Route 75. (Completion: June 2019) 

Wise County

Power line installation: Be alert to workers installing new power line along a section of U.S. Alternate 58 between Dwina and Virginia City in Wise County.  The project will also affect Route 651 (Bull Hill Road) and Route 784 (Bull Run Road). (Completion: Winter 2019)

Sewer line installation: Motorists may experience delays on Route 706 in the Tacoma area of Wise County due to a sewer line installation project. (Completion: Fall 2019)

Completed

Route 91 bridge: Replacement of the Route 91 bridge and construction of the Virginia Creeper Trail Spur beneath the bridge in the Damascus area of Washington County is complete. 

Route 67 – culvert repairs: Culvert repairs on Route 67 in Tazewell County has been completed.

Route 80 – slide area: A slide along Route 80 in the Birchleaf area of Dickenson County has been repaired.  (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.