VDOT Road Watch April 20- 24

April 21, 2020 Reader Submission

(UPDATED 4-17-20) * 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 35 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.

CULVERT REPLACEMENT TO REDUCE LANES ON ROUTE 220: In the vicinity of Route 696 (Locust Bottom Road and Burhman Road), Route 220 traffic is shifted into a new but temporary two-lane pattern. It will remain in this configuration with a reduced speed of 35 mph until the culverts have been replaced.
TRAFFIC SHIFT ON PRICES BLUFF ROAD – On or about Monday, April 13, a traffic shift will be in place on Route 622 (Prices Bluff Road). Traffic will remain in a two-lane pattern but speed will be reduced to 20 mph.
LOCUST BOTTOM ROAD CLOSURE: 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 in mid-May 2020.
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 may be controlling traffic at the intersection with Route 220.

(NEW 4-10-20) * ROUTE 606 (Blue Ridge Turnpike) CLOSURE – Route 606 (Blue Ridge Turnpike) is scheduled to be closed beginning May 11 at 8 a.m. for a concrete slab installation over Crush Run. This structure is located 0.70 miles from Route 641 (Oak Ridge Road) and 0.75 miles from Route 630 (Springwood Road) The road is scheduled to reopen on May 14, 2020 at 4 p.m.

(UPDATED 4-10-20) * ROUTE 603 (Zimmerman Road) CLOSURE – closed beginning April 27 at 8 a.m. for a concrete slab installation over Glade Creek. This structure is located 0.07 miles from Rte. 607 (Archway Road) and 0.75 miles from Rte. 678 (West Road). The road is scheduled to reopen on April 30, 2020 at 4 p.m.

(UPDATED 4-17-20) * 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 2020.

Beginning April 13, there will be no traffic impacts for the next two weeks.
Night work may take place 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

–submited by Jen K. Ward, VDOT, Salem District PR