Route 21 in Grayson County reopens to traffic

BRISTOL – Route 21 in Grayson County reopened today, just over three weeks after remnants from Hurricane Helene caused a significant roadway slide along the highway.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and its main contractor Elk Knob, Pennington Gap, Va., finished up the Route 21 repairs today, reopening an important primary highway to the region.

“Route 21 is a vital link between Wythe and Grayson counties, as well as between Virginia and North Carolina,” VDOT Wytheville Residency Administrator James Schwartz said. “Our VDOT staff and partners pursued the project with professionalism and urgency to ensure we reopened the road as quickly and safely as possible.”

During repairs, crews removed approximately 2,700 cubic yards of dirt and rock debris.

Additionally, crews used over 10,500 tons of stone of varying sizes to build back the road.

Approximately 1,800 vehicles per day use this portion of Route 21 near Independence in Grayson County.