Bristol's weekly traffic alert: May 13 - 19

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 (NEW) or (UPDATE) indicate revisions since last week’s report.

INTERSTATE PROJECTS
Interstate 81 – widening (Washington County): A project to widen I-81 southbound between exits 10 and 7 in Washington County, as well as widening approximately one mile of northbound I-81 from exit 7 to the north, is underway. Be alert to traffic pattern changes north and southbound. (Completion: November 2025)

Interstate 81 – truck climbing lanes (Washington County): A project is underway to add truck climbing lanes to Interstate 81 northbound at mile marker 32.4 and southbound at mile marker 34 in Washington County. The roadway shoulder is closed during construction. Be alert to temporary lane closures north and southbound. Pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: November 2025)

Interstate 77 – bridge widening (Bland County): A project is underway to widen the I-77 bridge northbound between exits 58 and 62 in Bland County. Be alert to nighttime lane closures. Pay attention to signs and message boards.

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

Interstate 81
-    Nighttime pavement marking north and southbound between the Virginia/Tennessee state line and mile marker 88 in Washington, Smyth and Wythe counties.
-    Daytime super load move northbound between exit 81 in Wythe County and the Virginia/West Virginia state line.
-    Nighttime roadway sweeping north and southbound from the Virginia/Tennessee state line to mile marker 27 in Washington County.

Interstate 77
-    Nighttime pavement marking north and southbound between exit 24 and exit 47 in Wythe County.
-    Daytime super load move southbound between mile marker 32 and the Virginia/North Carolina line in Wythe and Carroll counties.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH-TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:
Buchanan County
Route 632 (Page Drive): A 1.5-mile section of Route 632 (Page Drive) has been closed between the intersections of Route 626 (Chambers Road) and Ballenger Road in Buchanan County. The section of roadway is being relocated by Buchanan Materials as part of their coal preparation plant expansion. Pay close attention to detour signs in the area. (Completion: August 2024)

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: Construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A is underway in Buchanan County. 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.

Lee County
Route 23 bridge replacement: Be alert to an altered traffic pattern at the bridges over Norfolk Southern Railroad in the Jasper area of Lee County due to the replacement of the bridges. Two-way traffic is currently in the northbound lanes of Route 23.  (Completion: Fall 2024)

Russell County
Route 687 bridge replacement: Replacement of the bridge on Route 687 over Route 63 in the Dante area of Russell County continues. A temporary access road is in place through the Roanoke Hill area connecting Route 63 and Route 687. (Completion: October 2024)

Smyth County
Route 11 roundabout: A project is underway to build a roundabout on Route 11 at the intersection of Route 660 (Railroad Drive) in Smyth County, approximately one mile east of Oak Point Elementary School. Be alert to workers and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: Summer 2025)

(NEW) Route 11 and Rifton Drive intersection improvements: Be alert to intersection improvements underway at Route 11 and Rifton Drive in Marion. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: August 2024)

(UPDATE) Route 622 bridge rehab:  A project to rehabilitate the Route 622 bridge over Norfolk and Western Railway in Smyth County continues. Be alert to temporary traffic signals at Route 11 and Route 622 (Haven Ridge Road).  Motorists should use caution in the area and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: June 2024)

Wythe County
Progress Park Connector: Construction of a new 2.3-mile connector road between Nye Road and E. Lee Trinkle Road is underway, providing a direct connection to Wytheville’s Progress Park industrial site.  A 0.3-mile portion of Lover's Lane will be closed beginning Monday, March 18 and will remain closed for the duration of the project. The section of Lover's Lane to be closed is located 1.6 miles from Nye Road and 0.5 miles from Pepper's Ferry Road. Be alert to construction vehicles, work zone signs and workers in the area. (Completion: November 2026)

Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge: Due to an upcoming bridge replacement project, the Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge in Wythe County has been restricted to one 11-foot-wide lane and a three-ton weight limit. Construction is scheduled to begin in late 2024.

Completed
Route 58 widening between Abingdon and Damascus: The Route 58 widening project between Abingdon and Damascus is complete. There will be some cleanup work over the next few weeks.