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 – truck climbing lanes: The project to add a truck climbing lane to Interstate 81 northbound near mile marker 39 in Smyth County is underway. The roadway shoulder is closed during construction. Pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: May 2024)

***Interstate 81 - Exit 17: Be alert to a northbound Interstate 81 lane and off-ramp closure at exit 17 from 8 p.m. April 11 - 6 a.m. April 12. Following closure, traffic will begin using newly constructed off ramp. Be alert to Route 75 lane closures as well. New signals will be activated during this time. The speed limit is 60 mph through the work zone. (Completion: Spring 2023)

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: late April 2023)

***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: Be alert to the following lane closures due to interstate maintenance activities:

Interstate 81
- Daytime and nighttime bridge deck repairs and other bridge work near mile marker 72 northbound in Wythe County April 10 - 14. Be alert to a 14-foot width restriction in the right lane during the repairs.
- Daytime superload southbound from mile marker 33 to mile marker 0 in Washington County April 10.
- Nighttime soil borings northbound from mile marker 72 to mile marker 73 in Wythe County.

Interstate 77
- Nighttime tunnel maintenance southbound (East River Mountain Tunnel) April 11 - April 13. All wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering tunnel.
- Nighttime bridge work north and southbound from mile marker 42 to mile marker 44 in Wythe County.
- Daytime pothole patching north and southbound from mile marker 41 to mile marker 67 in Wythe and Bland counties.
- Nighttime soil borings southbound from mile marker 42 to mile marker 41 in Wythe County.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Bland County
Route 604 (Walker Creek Road): The Route 604 (Walker Creek Road) bridge in Bland County is closed through May 1 due to replacement of the bridge. The bridge is located 2.1 miles from Route 42 and 4.6 miles from Route 608 (Skydusky Road). Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: May 2023)

Buchanan County
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.

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B: Work on Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B is underway in Buchanan County. Work is taking place from near Route 604 (Poplar Creek Road) to current Route 460 in Grundy.

Dickenson County
***Route 652 embankment repair: Beginning April 14, a portion of Route 652 (Edwards Ridge Road) in Dickenson County will be closed weekdays from 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. The daytime lane closures are due to work to repair a slide. An 8-mile detour will be in place during this time. (Completion: Late April)

Scott County
Route 23 bridge over Speers Ferry: Work to rehabilitate the Route 23 Bridge over Speers Ferry in Scott County is underway. Lane restrictions were recently removed, however, be alert to periodic, daytime lane closures due to work beneath the bridge. Motorists are advised to use caution in this area. (Completion: July 2023)

Smyth County
***Route 622 bridge rehab: A project to rehabilitate the Route 622 bridge over Norfolk and Western Railway in Smyth County will begin. Temporary signals will be installed April 10 – 14 for Route 11 and Route 622. Motorists should use caution in the area and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: May 2024)

Tazewell County
Route 61 (Freedom Avenue) bridge replacement over the North Fork Clinch River: Replacement of the Route 61 bridge over the North Fork Clinch River in Tazewell is underway and the bridge is closed to traffic during construction. Use Dial Rock Road and Market Street to detour. (Completion: September 2023)

Route 16 (W. Riverside Drive) – bridge replacement over Cavitts Creek: Works is underway to replace the Route 16 bridge over Cavitts Creek in Tazewell. Motorists should be alert to one-lane traffic being controlled by traffic signals. The travel lane width on Route 16 at the bridge will be restricted to 9 feet 6 inches. (Completion: June 2024)

Route 91 slide repairs: Cleanup and repairs to a portion of Route 91 in Tazewell County continues and a portion of the road remains closed. Routes 601 and 607 are the detour routes, an approximately 5-mile detour.

Washington County
Route 58 widening near Damascus: Due to Route 58 construction activities near Damascus, be alert to periodic delays. 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 paused until spring. (Completion: July 2023)

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: December 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: July 2023)

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)

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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.