In an effort to keep motorists informed, the Virginia Department of Transportation 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: A project is underway to add a truck climbing lane to Interstate 81 northbound near mile marker 39 in Smyth County. The roadway shoulder is closed during construction. Pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: May 2024)
Interstate 81 – Exit 17: Work is underway to improve the Interstate 81 Exit 17 area. 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: Late Summer/Early Fall 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. (ompletion: May 2023)
***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: Be alert to the following lane closures due to interstate maintenance activities:
Interstate 81
– Day and nighttime bridge repairs southbound from mile marker 36 to mile marker 38 in Smyth County May 14 – 25. Be alert to a 14-foot width restriction.
– Nighttime pavement marking southbound from mile marker 87 in Wythe County to the Virginia/Tennessee state line in Bristol.
– Day and nighttime bridge joint repairs northbound near mile marker 2 in Bristol May 15 – 19.
– Nighttime roadway construction northbound from mile marker 16 to mile marker 17 in Washington County.
– Daytime brush removal northbound from mile marker 66 to mile marker 67 in Wythe County.
– Nighttime soil borings northbound from mile marker 72 to mile marker 73 in Wythe County.
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound near exit 47 in Smyth County.
– Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound from mile marker 27 in Washington County to the Virginia/Tennessee state line in Bristol.
– Nighttime paving operations northbound from mile marker 23 to mile marker 25 in Washington County.
– Nighttime roadway sweeping north and southbound from mile marker 87 to mile marker 73 in Wythe County.
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound near exit 50 in Smyth County.
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound near exit 29 in Washington County.
– Nighttime paving operations southbound from exit 10 to exit 7 in Washington County.
– Day and nighttime bridge painting southbound from exit 70 to mile marker 66 in Wythe County May 14 – 26. Be alert to 14-foot lane restriction.
– Daytime super load move northbound between Bristol and Wythe counties May 12 – 15.
Interstate 77
– Nighttime tunnel maintenance north and southbound at Big Walker Tunnel in Bland County. Wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnels when lane closure is in place.
– Daytime super load move southbound from mile marker 32 to the Wythe County line May 18.
– Nighttime soil borings southbound from mile marker 42 to mile marker 41 in Wythe County.
– Nighttime bridge work southbound from mile marker 43 to 42 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 multiple bridge replacement projects along the route. Motorists are advised to watch for changing conditions, obey construction signs, and follow detours throughout this time-period. (Completion: September 2023)
Grayson County
***Route 662 bridge replacement: The bridge on Route 662 (Falls Road) over Elk Creek in the Comers Rock Community of Grayson County is closed through May 24 at 5 p.m. This closure will allow for needed repairs. Motorist are advised to use alternate routes and use caution in the area.
Smyth County
Route 622 bridge rehab: A project to rehabilitate the Route 622 bridge over Norfolk and Western Railway in Smyth County is underway. Be alert to temporary traffic signals at Route 11 and Route 622. Motorists should use caution in the area and pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: May 2024)
Tazewell County
Route 61 (Freedom Avenue) bridge replacement over the North Fork Clinch River: Replacement of the Route 61 bridge over the North Fork Clinch River in Tazewell is underway and the bridge is closed to traffic during construction. Use Dial Rock Road and Market Street to detour. (Completion: September 2023)
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 will be restricted to 9 feet 6 inches. (Completion: June 2024)
Route 91 slide repairs: Cleanup and repairs to a portion of Route 91 in Tazewell County continues and a portion of the road remains closed. Routes 601 and 607 are the detour routes, an approximately 5-mile detour.
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)
Route 1712 (Old Dominion Road): Be alert to delays due to slurry paving on a portion of Route 1712 (Old Dominion Road) in Washington County, between Route 11 and Flame Leaf Drive. Pay close attention to signs and flaggers.
Wythe County
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: December 2023)
