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 26 at Emory: A project to lengthen the acceleration/deceleration on southbound Interstate 81 exit 26 at Emory in Smyth County is underway. 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. Anticipate lane shifts and nighttime lane closures on the interstate, as well periodic lane closures on Route 11. Also be alert to shoulder closures through the work zone. 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. 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. 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 nighttime lane closures along Interstates 81 and 77 this week: Interstate 81

• Pothole patching in the Marion area of Smyth County.
• Bridge deck repairs northbound near mile marker 9 in Washington County.
• Roadway sweeping north and southbound in Smyth and Wythe counties.
• Brush removal in the median area in the Marion area of Smyth County.
• Bridge deck repairs southbound near exit 3 in Bristol and mile markers 9 and 25 in Washington County.

Interstate 77

• Tunnel maintenance from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m. June 2 and 3 at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel. Wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel.
• Bridge deck repairs southbound near mile markers 54 and 47 in Bland County.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Buchanan County

***Route 80 - Slide Repairs (Buchanan County): Be alert to the possibility of flaggers on a portion of Route 80 in the Davenport area of Buchanan County during daylight hours due to slide repairs.

***Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: Weather permitting, a portion of Route 604 in Buchanan County will be temporarily closed from 6 a.m. June 5 until 6 a.m. June 8 to allow crews to tie in new construction of Route 121/460 Poplar Creek Phase A with Route 604. During the closure, traffic from Route 460 will be able to reach Stable Drive, and traffic will also be able to travel from Poplar Gap to the Community Center along Poplar Creek. Additionally, access will be maintained to adjacent residents during this closure. Use caution in this area and pay close attention to workers and signage leading motorists around the area during the temporary closure.

Grayson County

Route 21 shoulder widening/rumble strip project: Be alert to the possibility of lane closures on Route 21 in Wythe County and Grayson County between Wytheville Corporate Limits to Independence Corporate Limits due to shoulder widening and the installation of rumble strips to enhance safety along the highway. (Completion: spring 2020)

Lee County

***Route 660 – bridge deck replacement over Hardy Creek: Due to a project to replace the deck of the Route 660 bridge over Hardy Creek in Lee County, the bridge will be closed to traffic the week of June 1 and will remain closed through mid-July. Motorists will detour using Routes 663 and 658. The bridge is located 1.2-miles from Route 658. (Completion: mid-September 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)

Scott County

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)


 

Smyth County

***Route 16 – shoulder repairs: This week, be alert to the possibility of lane closures and flaggers along Route 16 between Route 622 (Nicks Creek) to Route 699 (Brushy Mountain Road) in Smyth County due to shoulder repairs. (Completion: May 2020)

Tazewell County

***Route 644 – slide repairs: Due to slide repairs, Route 644 (Horsepen Mountain Road) is closed from the intersection of Route 16 to the intersection of Route 668 through late May. Traffic is detouring using Routes 16 and 161 through Bishop Camp. (Completion: early June 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 due to latex paving.  The work will take place between the Abingdon corporate limits and Route 672 in Washington County. (Completion: early June 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 due to latex paving. (Completion: early June 2020)

Wise County

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)  

***Route 68 – road repairs: A portion of Route 68 approximately 3.5 miles from Route 160 in Wise County is reduced to one lane and traffic is being controlled by temporary signals until road repairs can be finalized. (early June 2020)

Wythe County

Route 21 shoulder widening/rumble strip project: Be alert to the possibility of lane closures on Route 21 in Wythe County and Grayson County between Wytheville Corporate Limits to Independence Corporate Limits due to shoulder widening and the installation of rumble strips to enhance safety along the highway. (Completion: spring 2020)  
 

***Frontage Road 44 (East Lee Highway): Due to a pipe replacement project on Frontage Road 44 (East Lee Highway), from Route 619 (Major Grahams Road) to Route 783 (Shady Forest Road), the road will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday (June 4 and 5).  

Completed

Route 715 (Stone Branch Road): A pipe replacement project along Route 715 (Stone Branch Road) in Russell County has been completed.  (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.