VDOT Road Watch in Botetourt County through March 19
The following is a list of forecasted highway projects that may impact traffic traveling in the 12-county Salem Transportation District this week. Work schedules and construction project timelines are always subject to change and weather dependent. New information is noted by “NEW” and updates are noted when a current project has had an update added to the listing. The Salem District covers Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, and Roanoke.
(UPDATED 2-7-20) * 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). No wide loads are permitted through the area. Drivers are cautioned to slow down and pay close attention through the work zone due to curves and minimal site distance. Flagging operations are in place during daytime hours only. Drivers should watch for signs. Work is estimated to be completed fall 2021.
· UPDATE – CULVERT REPLACEMENT TO REDUCE LANES ON ROUTE 220: As of February 19, Route 220 is reduced to one lane with flaggers controlling traffic during daytime and nighttime hours in the vicinity of Route 696 (Locust Bottom Road and Burhman Road). Crews will be building a temporary lane that will accommodate two lanes of traffic during the culvert replacements. During the week of March 9, traffic will be shifted back into a two-lane pattern and remain in this configuration with a reduced speed of 45mph until the culverts have been replaced.
· UPDATED – LOCUST BOTTOM ROAD CLOSURE: As of February 19, Locust Bottom Road is closed at its intersection with Route 220 for the replacement of two culverts. A detour is in place for Locust Bottom Road traffic onto Route 220. For access to northbound Route 220, drivers should take westbound Locust Bottom Road to Route 633 (Glen Wilton Road). To access southbound Route 220, drivers will use westbound Locust Bottom Road to Route 622 (Prices Bluff Road). Locust Bottom Road is expected to re-open by early April.
· BURHMAN ROAD DELAYS: Drivers on Route 696 (Burhman Road) will still be able to access Route 220 during the culvert replacements. However, Burhman Road drivers should expect delays as flaggers will be controlling traffic at the intersection with Route 220 until the week of March 9.
(UPDATED 3-6-20) * ROUTE 685 BRIDGE
REPAIRS OVER CRAIG CREEK – Work
is underway to repair the bridge on Route 685 (Ball Park Road) over Craig
Creek. This is located near the intersection of Route 615 (Craig Creek Road).
Daily road closures will be in place on Route 685 (Ball Park Road) for repairs
to the bridge over Craig Creek near the intersection of Route 615 (Craig Creek
Road). The work will be performed Monday through Friday from 9 p.m. to
3 p.m. Slow rolls may delay traffic attempting to cross the bridge for
10 to 15 minutes periodically while equipment and materials are moved and
placed along the bridge. Temporary lane closures may also be in place with
flaggers controlling traffic at various times. This phase of work will continue
through April.
· As of March 6, night work has been scheduled on the bridge from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, for stringer installation. Drivers may experience delays.
(UPDATED 1-24-20) * 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. Once the drainage and slope work on the project is complete in 2019, surface treatment on the road will be performed in spring 2020.
–submitted by Jen K. Ward, VDOT Public Information, Salem District
