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 bridges at Atkins: A project to replace the Interstate 81 bridges near mile marker 52 in the Atkins area of Smyth County is underway. November 22-24, be alert to daytime lane closures and 11-foot-wide travel lanes due to paving and construction operations. Be alert to traffic shifts through the work zone. The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)
Interstate 81 – Exit 17: 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)
***I-81 Acceleration/deceleration lane projects: Be alert to narrow or closed shoulders at the following locations due to projects to extend acceleration or deceleration lanes on I-81, improving safety by providing more space to slot to exit at an interchange or to accelerate before merging with interstate traffic:
· Exit 19 northbound deceleration lane (Washington County): narrowed shoulder northbound at exit 19 in the Abingdon area. (Completion: Spring 2022)
· ***Exit 47 northbound acceleration lane (Smyth County): Be alert to north and southbound delays due to blasting work associated with the project. The next blasting operation is planned for November 30 at 2:30 p.m. There will be blasting work weekdays at 2:30 p.m. through early 2022. Virginia State Police will perform traffic “slow rolls,” allowing time for the blasting to occur. (Completion: late July 2022)
· Exit 67 northbound deceleration lane (Wythe County): right shoulder closure northbound near exit 67 in Wytheville. (Completion: November 2021)
Interstate 77 – Exit 64: The Interstate 77 exit 64 improvement 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. Following the Thanksgiving holiday, lane closures will be in place weekdays November 29 – December 16. (Completion: Spring 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
– 24-hour bridge deck repairs north and southbound near exit 72 in Wytheville (Wythe County) from 6 a.m. Sunday (November 21) through 6 a.m. Tuesday (November 23).
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs near exits 45 November 21/22) and 47 (November 22/23) in the Marion area of Smyth County.
Interstate 77
– Nighttime southbound lane closure at East River Mountain Tunnel Sunday through Wednesday nights (November 21 – 24) due to tunnel maintenance. All wide loads over 12-feet must stop before entering the tunnels during the nighttime lane closures.
PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:
Smyth County
***Route 633 (Beaver Creek Road): The Route 633 (Beaver Creek Road) bridge in Smyth County will be closed for replacement December 1 – 15. The bridge is located near the intersection of Route 723 (Possum Hollow Road). Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: December 15, 2021)
***Route 624 (Mill Dam Road): The Route 624 (Mill Dam Road) bridge in Smyth County will be closed for replacement November 11 – December 6. The bridge is located .05-mile from Route 42 and 1.55-miles from Route 687. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: December 6, 2021)
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 2021)
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)
Wythe County
Cove Road Bridge Detour: Due to work to replace the Cove Road bridge over Interstate 81 in Wythe County, the bridge is closed. The bridge is currently scheduled to reopen prior to Thanksgiving. Use caution in this area and pay close attention to detour signs. (Completion: Summer 2022)
***Route 617 (Kimberlin Road): A pipe replacement project temporarily closed a portion of Route 617 (Kimberlin Road) in Wythe County through November 23. The project is located 1.6 miles from Route 735 and at the intersection of Route 680. Plan alternate routes. (Completion: November 23)
Completed
Route 58 truck climbing lane at Powell Mountain: A project to add a truck climbing lane to Route 58 at Powell Mountain in Lee County is complete.
Route 622 (Birch Grove Road): Bridge repairs are complete at two locations on Route 622 (Birch Grove Road) in Bland County.
