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, and the second of two multi-day lane closures will begin at 7 p.m. Sunday (May 17) and end the afternoon of Thursday (May 21). The closure will allow crews to bring 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. This week, be alert to daytime lane closures northbound from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday (May 19-21). 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 lane closures along Interstates 81 and 77 this week: Interstate 81

• Daytime guardrail repairs northbound between mile marker 48 and exit 50 in Smyth County.
• Daytime milling and paving on northbound I-81 from mile markers 2 to 7.5 in Bristol.
• Daytime lane closure due to sign installation work north and southbound near mile marker 74 in the Fort Chiswell area of Wythe County.
• Daytime pothole patching northbound and southbound at various locations in Smyth and Wythe counties.
• Nighttime bridge deck repairs north and southbound near mile marker 23, southbound near mile marker 9, southbound near mile marker 16, and southbound near mile marker 25 in Washington County.

Interstate 77

• Daytime lane closures near exit 47 north and southbound in Bland County Tuesday and Wednesday.
• Daytime lane closures at mile marker 54 southbound in Bland County Monday due to bridge deck repairs.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Buchanan County

***Route 80 - Slide Repairs: A portion of Route 80 in the Davenport area of Buchanan County is closed due to slide repairs. The closure is located approximately one-mile west of Route 700 and 1.3 miles east of Route 645. Traffic is using Routes 602 and 672 to detour. (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.

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 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)

Russell County

***Route 715 (Stone Branch Road): Route 715 (Stone Branch Road) in Russell County will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday (May 18) for a pipe replacement. The work zone will be located approximately 500-feet from the end of state maintenance. (Completion: May 18) ***Mowing: Be alert to lane closures due to mowing on Alternate Route 58 and Route 19 in Russell County. Be alert to workers and pay close attention to signs directing traffic through the work zones.

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 671 (Currin Valley) to Sugar Grove near Teas Road in Smyth County due to shoulder repairs. (Completion: early 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. Traffic is detouring using Routes 16 and 161 through Bishop Camp. (Completion: late May 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: May 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: May 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. (late May 2020)

Wythe County

***Frontage Road 44 (East Lee Highway): Due to a pipe replacement project a portion of Frontage Road 44 (East Lee Highway), from Route 619 (Major Grahams Road) to Route 783 (Shady Forest Road), will be closed from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday (May 18 and 19). 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)   

Completed

Slide Repairs – Route 638 (Scott County): Slide repairs along Route 638 in Scott County have 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.