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 nightly lane closures on Interstate 81 at exit 17 and on Route 75 beneath the interstate as part of the I-81 exit 17 improvement project. 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: 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: early 2023)
***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, be alert to the following lane closures due to maintenance activities:
Interstate 81
– Day and nighttime lane closures southbound near exit 35 in Chilhowie (Smyth County) from 6:30 a.m. December 5 through 7 a.m. December 9.
– Day and nighttime lane closures southbound near mile marker 37 in Smyth County from 7 a.m. December 3 until 6 a.m. December 8. Be alert to a 12-foot-width restriction when the lane closure is in place.
– Day and nighttime lane closures northbound near exit 72 in Wythe County. Be alert to a 12-foot-width restriction when the lane closure is in place.
– Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound in Wythe County.
– Daytime roadway striping work southbound near mile marker 48 and northbound near mile marker 39 in Smyth County.
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound near exit 17 in Abingdon, exit 54 in Rural Retreat and near mile marker 68 in Wythe County.
Interstate 77
– Day and nighttime bridge joint repairs southbound near mile marker 41 in Wythe County from 6:30 a.m. December 5 through 7 a.m. December 9.
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound near exit 47 and southbound near mile marker 54 in Bland County.
– Nighttime bridge inspection work northbound prior to exit 24 in Wythe County at the bridge over the New River.
PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:
Tazewell County
Second Street (Route 67) Bridge over Clinch River in Richlands: Due to a bridge rehabilitation and repair project on Second Street (Route 67) in Richlands, the bridge over the Clinch River is restricted to one lane. The bridge is located west of the intersection of Allegheny Street. (Completion: January 2022)
Route 19: Be alert to daily delays on Route 19 near the Russell/Tazewell County line due to rolling roadblocks associated with blasting work. The work is due to establishing the intersection for Pure Salmon. (Completion: Fall 2022)
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)
Wythe County
Route 619 (Gleaves Road) – bridge closure: Due to a recent bridge inspection, the Route 619 truss bridge over Cripple Creek in Wythe County is currently closed. No timeframe for reopening the bridge has been established to date. Pay close attention to signs and message boards in the area.
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: Dec. 2023)
Completed
Route 80 bridge over Russell Fork River: The project to rehabilitate the Route 80 (Sandlick Road) bridge over Russell Fork River in Dickenson County is complete, with exception of some work beneath the bridge in the coming months. Be alert to flagging operations when that work occurs.
