VDOT Road Watch through Dec. 6
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) will make travel easier by suspending most highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon Wednesday, Nov. 27, until noon Monday, Dec. 2. While lane closures will be lifted in most locations, motorists may encounter semi-permanent work zones that remain in place during this time. A full listing of those lane closures can be found on VDOT’s website
EDITOR’s Note: Please be mindful that Sunday, Nov. 30, VA Tech and Radford students will be on I-81 going back to school after Thanksgiving break. This migration adds thousands of cars to the traffic pattern. It has become a day of car accidents. Make a note of it and travel at your own risk.
NEW 11-15-19) * ROUTE 666 CLOSURE – Route 666 (White Church Road) will continue to be closed for a soil nail project due to unforeseen challenges on the project. The road will be closed through Saturday, November 23.
(UPDATED 11-15-19) * ROUTE 670 CLOSURE – Route 670 (Huff Road) will be closed to all traffic from Breckinridge Mill Road to 0.18 miles from Breckinridge Mill Road. The road will be closed for repairs to the slope from Tuesday, November 19 at 7 a.m. through Friday, November 29.
(NEW 11-22-19) * ROUTE 628 BRIDGE CLOSURE – Beginning on December 16, Route 628 (Prease Road) will be closed to all traffic for a bridge replacement over Long Run. The bridge is located .45 miles from Route 635 and .85 mile from Route 629. A detour will be in place. Weather permitting, the road will re-open on December 20.
(NEW 11-1-19) * ROUTE 630 PAVING TO IMPACT ROUTE 220 SOUTHBOUND – Route 630 (Blacksburg Road) is currently under paving operationsnear the intersection of Route 220 and Blacksburg Road. Traffic is limited to one lane on Southbound 220 with periodic slow rolls. Route 630 (Blacksburg Road) is reduced to one lane. Drivers traveling into town on Blacksburg Road are encouraged to use Herndon Street from Blacksburg Road to access Route 220 by the Dollar General.
(UPDATED 10-4-19) * ROUTE 685 BRIDGE REPAIRS OVER CRAIG CREEK – Work is underway to repair the bridge on Route 685 over Craig Creek. This is located near the intersection of Route 615. Temporary lane closures may be in place with flaggers controlling traffic at various times.
(NEW 11-15-19) * ROUTE 603 ROAD CLOSURE – Route 603, Zimmerman Road, in Botetourt County, is closed to through traffic for a rural rustic project. The 0.4 mile rural rustic project will be performed on Route 603, Zimmerman Road, from West Road to Pebble Road, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The work will consist of cross and driveway pipe replacements to improve drainage, slope and shoulder work and placing a hard surface on the roadway. Due to the narrow, steep and curvy work zone area, the road is expected to be closed to through traffic for approximately six to eight weeks. Residents in the area will have access to their homes, but should expect delays. Signs will alert drivers of the closure. Weather permitting, the drainage and slope work on the project is expected to be completed in late November 2019, and surface treatment on the road will be performed in spring 2020.
(UPDATED 11-22-19) * ROUTE 220 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN EAGLE ROCK – The project is underway. Flagging operations will be in place on Route 220, north and southbound lanes between Eagle Rock and Iron Gate, 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. The speed limit will be reduced to 45 miles per hour just south of Route 622 (Prices Bluff Road) and just north of Route 722 (Chatham Road). Drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay close attention through the work zone due to curves and minimal site distance. Drivers should watch for signs. Work is estimated to be completed fall 2021.
· Drivers should expect 24-hour flagging operations on Route 220 southbound from Route 696, Burhman Road, to Route 722, Chatham Road, until November 27 at 12:00
