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 – widening (Washington County): A project to widen I-81 southbound between exits 10 and 7 in Washington County, as well as widen approximately one mile of northbound I-81 from exit 7 to the north, is beginning in the coming days. Be alert to daytime lane closures northbound on January 13 and southbound January 14-15 to allow workers to remove rumble strips and pave to shift traffic through the work zone. (Completion: November 2025)
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
– Day and nighttime bridge repairs northbound between mile markers 46 and 48 in Smyth County January 8-12. No wide loads over 14 feet.
– Day and nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound between exit 3 and mile marker 4 in Bristol January 8-12.
– Daytime pothole patching north and southbound between exit 54 and mile marker 88 in Smyth and Wythe counties.
– Daytime super load move northbound from the Virginia/Tennessee state line and mile marker 221 near Staunton.
– Nighttime pothole patching north and southbound from Virginia/Tennessee state line and mile marker 27 in Washington County.
Interstate 77
– Daytime bridge pavement marking northbound between mile markers 46 and 48 in Bland County.
– Daytime pothole patching north and southbound between mile marker 33 and 24 in Wythe County.
– Daytime pothole patching north and southbound between exit 41 and the West Virginia/Virginia state line in Wythe and Bland counties.
– Daytime super load move southbound between the Virginia/West Virginia line and exit 40 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 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: Be alert to a new traffic pattern through the Route 58 work zone while road widening work is underway. All traffic has moved to the two westbound lanes through the entire work zone. Pay close attention to signs, message boards and flaggers. (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.
