Roadwatch for Sept. 5-7

(UPDATED 8-30-19) *I-81 BRIDGE REHABILITATION AT EXIT 150 IN BOTETOURT COUNTY – Work on the pair of bridges has begun and will include removing the existing riding surface and overlaying it with a new layer of concrete. Patching on the bridges and underneath and paving the approaches is also included. Alternating lane closures may be in place on north and southbound I-81 between mile marker 150.6 and 149.7. For southbound, lane closures will be in place Sunday through Thursday nights between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. For northbound, lane closures will be in place Sunday through Thursday nights between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Work will include improvements to the shoulders and repairs to the bridge deck of the bridges on I-81 over Alt. Route 220 (Roanoke Rd.) and Daytime lane closures may also be in place on Alt. Route 220 (Roanoke Rd.) at various times for repairs beneath the bridges. Estimated completion is early fall 2019.

Extended lane closure has been scheduled. The northbound right lane will be closed Friday, September 6 from 8:00 pm to Saturday, September 7 at 10:00 am for bridge deck overlay. • Motorcyclists should use left lane only due to pavement conditions. Signage is in place. • There may be southbound left and right lane closures from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am. • There may be a northbound left lane closure from 7:00 pm to 6:00 am. • As work progresses in the future, six long-term lane closures will be scheduled with three on northbound I-81 and three on southbound I-81. These long-term lane closures will start on Friday or Saturday nights and continue for approximately 14 to 16 hours through the following morning. During the extended lane closures on southbound I-81, the ramp from southbound I-81 onto southbound Route 220 and the ramp from northbound Route 220 onto southbound I-81 will be closed. Traffic will be able to use Route 11 and exit 146 during the ramp closures.

–Jen Ward, VDOT Salem File photo The Botetourt Bee