Bristol's weekly traffic alert

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 (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)

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

Interstate 81
-    Day and nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound between exit 3 and mile marker 4 in Bristol December 11-15.
-    Daytime pothole patching north and southbound between exit 73 and mile marker 88 in Wythe County.
-    Day and nighttime bridge repairs/replacement northbound between mile markers 46 and 48 in Smyth County December 11-15.
-    Nighttime utility/permit work north and southbound between mile markers 63 and 69 in Wythe County.

Interstate 77
-    Daytime utility/permit work northbound between mile markers 65 and 69 in Bland County.
-    Nighttime tunnel maintenance northbound between mile markers 66 and 68 at the East River Mountain Tunnel in Bland County. All wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel.
-    Daytime pothole patching north and southbound between mile markers 24 and 33 in Wythe County.

Primary highways and high traffic secondary roads

Bland County
Route 604 (Walkers Creek Road): Be alert to periodic closures on Route 604 (Walkers Creek Road) in Bland County due to a bridge replacement project located 3.6 miles from Route 42 and three miles from Route 608 (Skydusky Road).  Motorists are advised to watch for changing conditions, obey construction signs, and follow detours throughout this time-period. (Completion: March 2024)

Buchanan County
Route 651 (Old Lester’s Fork Road) bridge repairs: Be alert to bridge repairs on Route 651 (Old Lester’s Fork Road). Traffic can use Route 650 (Lester’s Fork Road) as a detour. The work is expected to last approximately two weeks. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: December 18)

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 plan 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. 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.

Lee County
Route 23 bridge replacement: A project to replace the north and southbound Route 23 bridges over Norfolk Southern Railroad in Lee County near Jasper is underway. Be alert to one-lane traffic in each direction. Two-way traffic is running on the southbound side. (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 is underway. A temporary access road is in place through the Roanoke Hill area connecting Route 63 and Route 687. (Completion: October 2024)

Smyth County
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: May 2024)

Tazewell County
Route 16 (W. Riverside Drive) bridge replacement over Cavitts Creek: Work 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 is restricted to 9 feet 6 inches. (Completion: June 2024)

Washington County
Route 58 widening near Damascus: Motorists should be alert to altered traffic patterns through the Route 58 work zone near Damascus while road widening work is underway. Be alert to a possible temporary traffic pattern near the intersection of Route 58 and Route 858 (Hollyfield Road). Pay close attention to signs, message boards and flaggers. (Completion: May 2024)

Wise County
Alternate Route 58 bridge rehabilitation: A project to repair the Alternate Route 58 bridge over the Guest River and Norfolk Southern Railroad in the City of Norton is underway. (Completion: Winter 2023)

Wythe County
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 April 2024.

Completed
Route 602 bridge replacement: Route 602 bridge replacement in Bland County located near the intersection of Route 601 is complete.