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. for real-time traffic information.
INTERSTATE PROJECTS
I-81 shoulder widening: A project to widen the shoulders of five sections of Interstate 81 is underway. Be alert to periodic delays at the following locations when work zones are in place:
– Northbound I-81 between mile markers 39.3 and 40.9 in Smyth County
– Northbound between mile markers 33.7 and 32.2 near the Smyth/Washington county line
– Northbound between mile markers 48.8 and 47.9 in Smyth County
– Southbound between mile markers 53.9 and 54.7 in Smyth County
– Southbound between mile markers 34.2 and 32.8 in Smyth County (Completion: late June 2021)
Interstate 81 – Exit 17: Motorists should be alert to work underway to improve Interstate 81 exit 17. The 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. (Completion: Fall 2022)
Interstate 81 – Exit 19: Be alert to the following activities on the I-81 exit 19 safety improvement project in Abingdon: intermittent daytime lane closures on Empire Drive. The project includes realigning a portion of Empire Drive, widening a curve along the southbound off ramp, and adding traffic signals at the intersection of newly aligned Empire Drive and Route 11 and where Route 11 intersects with the end of the exit 19 southbound ramps. (Completion: Summer 2022)
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)
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. Be alert to shoulder closures through the work zone, nighttime lane closures, and the possibility of lane closures on Route 11 beneath the bridges. The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)
Interstate 81 – bridges over Reed Creek: Due to replacement of the Interstate 81 bridges over Reed Creek in Wythe County, be alert to altered traffic patterns, narrowed lanes (11-feet-wide northbound), and nighttime lane closures in the work zone. The bridges are located about one-mile north of the I-77 split at I-81 exit 81. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. Allow extra travel time and watch out for workers. (Completion: Fall 2021)
***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, be alert to the following lane closures due to maintenance activities:
Interstate 81
– 24-hour lane closure Monday through Friday due to bridge deck repairs north and southbound near exit 72 in Wythe County.
– 24-hour lane closure Monday through Friday due to bridge deck repairs southbound near exit 35 in the Chilhowie area of Smyth County.
– Nighttime bridge inspection work at various locations between exits 7 and 10 in Bristol.
– Daytime mowing north and southbound in Wythe County.
– Daytime pothole patching southbound between Wytheville and Rural Retreat.
Interstate 77
– Nighttime lane closures at Big Walker and East River Mountain Tunnel in Bland County due to tunnel maintenance. During the nighttime lane closures, wide loads over 12-feet must stop before entering the tunnel.
PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:
Bland County
Route 602 (Spur Branch Road): Due to repairs to the Route 602 (Spur Branch Road) bridge in Bland County, located near the intersection of Route 601 (Little Creek Highway), be alert to the possibility of periodic lane closures weekdays.
Tazewell County
***Tazewell Avenue Bridge Repairs (Bluefield): The Tazewell Avenue bridge in Bluefield closed to traffic in late April and will remain closed approximately 6 months due to repairs. The bridge is located over Beaver Pond Creek between Walnut Street and S. College Avenue (Route 102). During repairs, motorists will use Walnut Street, Virginia Avenue, and S. College Avenue to detour (distance: .2-mile). (Completion: fall 2021)
Allegheny Street bridge improvements in Richlands: A project to repair and replace the Allegheny Street bridge over Big Creek in Richlands is underway and the bridge is closed to traffic. The bridge is located between 3rd and 4th Street and motorists are detouring using Route 67 and 5th Street, a distance of approximately .75-mile. (Completion: late June 2021)
Route 605 (Thompson Valley): The Route 605 road improvement project in the Thompson Valley area of Tazewell County will resume in the spring. (Completion June 2021)
Route 19 (Virginia Avenue) bridge over Wrights Valley Creek (Bluefield): Be alert to an altered traffic pattern on Route 19 at the bridge over Wrights Valley Creek near Bluefield due to reconstruction of the bridge. Use caution in the area and pay close attention to work zone signs. (Completion: July 2021)
Wythe County
Route 664 (Glade Road) bridge: Due to replacement of the Route 664 (Glade Road) bridge over Reed Creek in Wythe County, the bridge is closed to traffic and will remain closed through spring 2022. Route 664 will be closed from .99-mile east of Route 711 to 1.06-mile east of Route 711. Be alert to detour signs that will be in place before the project begins. (Completion: Spring 2022)
