VDOT Road Watch through June 19th

June 15, 2020 Reader Submission

Mowing has begun on secondary arteries we have noticed. Be careful

Road repair on secondary roads from pothole patching, ditch and culvert cleaning in addition to the following.

· Thursday, June 18, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., right lane closure on I-81 northbound at mile marker 165 to 167 in Botetourt County for epoxy operations.

NEW 5-15-20) * ROUTE 618 CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC – Beginning Monday, June 15 at 8 a.m., a portion of Route 618 (McFalls Creek Road) will be closed to through traffic to install a concrete slab. The project is located 2.25 miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway and 1.50 miles from Route 614 (Jennings Creek Road). During this time, a detour will be in place signs will direct traffic. Residents on either side of the closure will be able to access their homes. Through traffic will not be permitted. Weather permitting, the road is expected to be re-opened by June 18 at 4 p.m.

(UPDATED 5-22-20) * 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 – A traffic shift will be in place on Route 622 (Prices Bluff Road). Traffic will remain in a two-lane pattern but surface will be compacted stone. Drivers should use caution in the area.

· 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 by the end of June 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.

(UPDATED 5-15-20) * 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 traffic impacts 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.

· 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.

· Decking for the bridge is currently scheduled to occur in June 2020 and painting is scheduled to occur in July 2020.

(UPDATED 5-15-20) * ROUTE 603 ROAD CLOSURE – Route 603 (Zimmerman Road) 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 early summer 2020.