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 Exit 35: A project to widen a portion of Route 107 beneath Interstate 81 at exit 35 at Chilhowie is underway. Be alert to the possibility of ramp work and periodic delays on Route 107. Watch out for highway workers in the project area. (Completion: September 2022)
Interstate 81 – Exit 17: Be alert to nightly lane closures on Route 75 and Country Club Drive due to water line installation work as part of the I-81 exit 17 improvement project. Commerce Drive between Route 75 and Wonderland Drive is closed indefinitely to begin utility construction before the new northbound on and off-ramps can be constructed. Traffic wishing to access the businesses and residences along Commerce Drive will use Gravel Lake Road for access. The exit 17 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. The speed limit is 60mph through the work zone. (Completion: Fall 2022)
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)
I-81 Exit 47 northbound acceleration lane project (Smyth County): Be alert to north and southbound delays weekdays around 2:30 p.m. due to blasting work associated with the project extend the acceleration lane. Blasting work will take place weekdays through early 2022. Virginia State Police will perform traffic “slow rolls,” allowing time for the blasting to occur. (Completion: late July 2022)
Interstate 77 – Exit 64: Motorists should be alert to work underway to improve Interstate 77 at exit 64 in Bland County. Be alert to a southbound on ramp closure on I-77 at exit 64 through late April. A detour is in place for motorists using Route 61 (Clear Fork Road) and Route 52 (N. Scenic Highway) to access I-77. 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: early 2023)
Interstate 77 bridge deck repairs: Be alert to lane closures on Interstate 77 near mile marker 47 in Bland County due to bridge deck repairs. The work zone is located near Big Walker Mountain tunnel. (Completion: spring 2022)
***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, be alert to the following lane closures due to maintenance activities:
Interstate 81
– 24-hour bridge deck repairs north and southbound near exit 72 in the Wytheville area (Wythe County) with a 16-foot restriction.
– Nighttime bridge inspection work north and southbound near mile markers 50, 54 and 58 in Smyth County.
– Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound between exit 87 in Wythe County and the City of Bristol.
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs in Washington County: northbound near exit 3 and mile marker 9, north and southbound near mile marker 23, and southbound near mile marker 28.
– Daytime pavement repairs southbound in Bristol between exit 3 and the Tennessee state line.
Interstate 77
– Nighttime northbound lane closures at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel Sunday through Thursday nights (March 7-11) due to tunnel maintenance. Wide loads over 12-feet must stop before entering the tunnel when the work zone is in place.
– 24-hour bridge deck repairs southbound mile marker 41in Wythe County.
– Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound between mile markers 42 and 67 in Bland County March 10/11.
PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:
Smyth County
Route 107 improvements – Chilhowie: A construction project is underway on Route 107 at its intersection with I-81 in the Chilhowie area of Smyth County. The project will improve how traffic moves by widening and installing a turn lane on Route 107 and the I-81 off ramps. During the project, two 11-foot-wide lanes will be open to traffic, however, there will be periodic lane closures for some operations. Due to safety concerns, pedestrian traffic will not be allowed through the work zone for the duration of the project. Motorists should expect delays during construction and are encouraged to find alternate routes. Be alert to traffic pattern changes, obey construction signs and flaggers, and use caution when driving through the work zone. (Completion: September 2022)
Route 11/107 intersection improvements – Chilhowie: A project to improve the intersection of Route 11/107 in the Chilhowie area of Smyth County is underway. Be alert to the possibility of periodic, temporary lane closures during the project. Most work will occur during daylight hours; however, there will be instances of nighttime work as needed. (Completion: late August 2022)
Route 11/Railroad Drive intersection improvements: A project to improve the intersection of Route 11/Railroad Drive in the Marion area of Smyth County is underway. Use caution in this area and be alert to flaggers. (Completion: late August 2022)
