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 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. Be alert to the possibility of daytime and nighttime lane closures. (Completion: Spring 2023)

Interstate 81 – Exit 17: Motorists should be alert to work underway to improve Interstate 81 exit 17. The 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. (Completion: Fall 2022)

***Interstate 81 – Exit 19: The southbound I-81 exit 19 off ramp and a right lane closure on I-81 southbound will be in place from Wednesday at 8 p.m. until Thursday at 6 a.m. (July 28-29). There will be a second southbound off ramp closure Thursday night (July 29/30) from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. The ramp closure and southbound I-81 lane closure will allow for installation of traffic barrier at the ramp and the continued installation of traffic signals at Empire Drive. Until the new signal is operational, a temporary stop sign is in place where the new connections to Empire Drive intersects with Route 11. The project includes realigning a portion of Empire Drive, widening a curve along the southbound off ramp, and adding traffic signals at the intersection of newly aligned Empire Drive and Route 11 and where Route 11 intersects with the end of the exit 19 southbound ramps. (Completion: Summer 2022)

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)

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. Be alert to traffic shifts through the work zone. The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)

Interstate 81 bridges over Reed Creek: Due to replacement of the Interstate 81 bridges over Reed Creek in Wythe County, be alert to altered traffic patterns, narrowed lanes (11-feet-wide northbound), and nighttime lane closures in the work zone. 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. Allow extra travel time and watch out for workers. (Completion: Fall 2021)

***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, be alert to the following lane closures due to maintenance activities:
Interstate 81
- 24-hour lane closure Monday through Friday due to bridge deck repairs southbound near exit 35 in Smyth County.
- Nighttime left lane closure southbound between mile markers 49 and 51 in Smyth County due to clean up following a recent crash.
Interstate 77
- Nighttime southbound lane closure at East River Mountain Tunnel due to maintenance work. During the lane closure, all wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel.
- Nighttime paving southbound between mile markers 56 and 51 in Bland County.
- Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound at various locations in Bland County.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:
Buchanan County
Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: 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.

Dickenson County
***Route 83 – pipe replacement: Due to the replacement of two pipes beneath Route 83 between Clintwood and Fremont (Dickenson County), motorists can expect the possibility of significant delays during daylight hours Monday through Friday (July 26-30, 2021). There will be times during the pipe installations that traffic will be stopped for 15-20 minutes to allow crews to place the pipes and cover them with gravel before vehicles can pass. Avoid the area where possible. (Completion: July 30)

***Route 83 – shoulder repairs: Be alert to shoulder work along Route 83 in Dickenson County between Route 621 (Georges Fork) and the Wise County line July 26-30. Pay close attention to signs and watch out for highway workers. (Completion: July 30)

Route 83: Be alert to the possibility of delays along Route 83 in Wise and Dickenson counties from the intersection of Route 631 (Mill Creek) near Pound to the Buchanan County line due to a project to add paved shoulders with rumble strips and improve guardrail along Route 83. Be alert to flaggers and pilot vehicles leading motorists through the work zone. (Completion: early December 2021)

Lee County
Route 58 truck climbing lane at Powell Mountain: A project to add a truck climbing lane to Route 58 at Powell Mountain in Lee County is underway. The project will add a 1,000-foot truck climbing lane to the west side of Powell Mountain, improving safety by providing motorists a safer way to pass trucks along the steep grade. Be alert to periodic delays and watch for workers. (Completion: September 2021)

Route 58 bridge over the Powell River: A new traffic pattern is in place across the Route 58 bridge over the Powell River near Jonesville in Lee County, with traffic now traveling on the newly constructed side of the bridge. 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
Route 23 access improvements/Park and Ride: North and southbound traffic through the Route 23 work zone in the Gate City/Moccasin Gap area of Scott County is restricted to one lane in each direction. The closure allows crews to remove the current median and construct a new one. Allow extra travel time, especially during morning and afternoon hours when commuter traffic volumes are high. The project will improve access, as well as add a Park and Ride lot near the intersection of Route 23 and Route 619 (Filter Plant Road). Pay close attention to work zone signs and watch for workers. (Completion: Fall 2021)

Tazewell County
Tazewell Avenue Bridge Repairs (Bluefield): The Tazewell Avenue bridge in Bluefield closed to traffic in late April and will remain closed approximately 6 months due to repairs. The bridge is located over Beaver Pond Creek between Walnut Street and S. College Avenue (Route 102). During repairs, motorists will use Walnut Street, Virginia Avenue, and S. College Avenue to detour (distance: .2-mile). (Completion: fall 2021)

Washington County
***Route 628 (Lone Star Road): A portion of Route 628 (Lone Star Road) in Washington County will be closed August 2 - 23 due to replace two, large drainage pipes. Pay close attention to detour signs while the closure is in place. (Completion: August 23)

Wise County
***Shawnee Avenue bridge replacement: Due to the replacement of the Shawnee Avenue bridge in Big Stone Gap, the bridge is closed. Use caution in this area and pay close attention to detour signs. (Completion: late 2021)

***Route 616 – slide repairs: Due to slide repairs along Route 616 in Wise County, motorists are advised to use Routes 613 and 602 to detour and avoid delays. The work will be located between the intersection of Routes 702 and 612. Use caution in this area and use the detour route where possible to avoid delays. (Completion: early August)

Route 83: Be alert to the possibility of delays along Route 83 in Wise and Dickenson counties from the intersection of Route 631 (Mill Creek) near Pound to the Buchanan County line due to a project to add paved shoulders with rumble strips and improve guardrail along Route 83. Be alert to flaggers and pilot vehicles leading motorists through the work zone. (Completion: early December 2021)

Wythe County
***Route 21 – pipe repairs/replacements: Be alert to flaggers controlling traffic during daylight hours on Route 21 in Wythe County July 26-30 due to a project to repair/replace pipes beneath the road. (Completion: July 2021)

Route 664 (Glade Road) bridge: Due to replacement of the Route 664 (Glade Road) bridge over Reed Creek in Wythe County, the bridge is closed to traffic and will remain closed through spring 2022. Route 664 will be closed from .99-mile east of Route 711 to 1.06-mile east of Route 711. Be alert to detour signs that will be in place before the project begins. (Completion: Spring 2022)    (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.