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 lane (Smyth County): A project to add a truck climbing lane to Interstate 81 northbound near mile marker 39 in Smyth County is nearing completion. Be alert to periodic nighttime lane closures as work wraps up. (Completion: November 29)
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
– Nighttime spill clean-up northbound between mile markers 36 and 37 in Smyth County.
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs southbound at mile markers 16 and 17 in Washington County.
Interstate 77
– Nighttime bridge joint repairs northbound between mile markers 46 and 48 in Bland County.
PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:
Bland County
Route 602 bridge: The Route 602 bridge in Bland County, located near the intersection of Route 601, will be closed for replacement December 5 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. The work is weather permitting. Use caution in this area and pay close attention to signs. (Completion: December 5)
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)
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)
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. Due to removal of the old Route 58 bridge in the work zone near Damascus (Washington Co.), be alert to shuttle service for kayakers and Va. Creeper Trail cyclists in the work zone through the end of November. (Completion: May 2024)
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 619 bridge: Work on the Route 619 bridge at exit 84 over interstate 81 in Wythe County is complete.
