VDOT Road Watch through July 9
Here are road happenings to watch for this week in Botetourt
BOTETOURT COUNTY: Alternating lane closures on I-81 in Botetourt County between mile marker 151.5 and 161.6, northbound and southbound lanes, Sunday through Friday, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., weather permitting.
BOTETOURT COUNTY: Alternating lane closures on I-81 in Botetourt County between mile marker 163 and 168, northbound and southbound lanes, Sunday through Friday, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., weather permitting. Speed limit reduction of 60 mph in place.
(UPDATED 7-2-20) * 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.
· On July 6,a 24-hour one lane flagger operation will be put in place rom Route 43 (Narrow Passage Road) to Route 694 (Gala Loop South) for two weeks until July 19, 2020.
· 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.
· 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. Expected completion is July 2020.
o 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 July 2020.
o 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 through July 2020.
(UPDATED 7-2-20) * 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.
· BALL PARK ROAD CLOSURE UPDATE: On July 20, Ball Park Road will be closed to traffic from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning until August 10, During the closures, a pedestrian access will be available periodically throughout the night and a parking area will be in place on the eastern side of the structure near Craig Creek Road and there will also be a staging/parking area on the western side of Ball Park Road for vehicles. Message boards will alert drivers and if emergency access is necessary by EMS, the contractor will assists accordingly to insure access.
(UPDATED 7-2-20) * UITILITY WORK ROAD AND LANE CLOSURES – Utility work is being performed in several areas of the county.
· Fiber optic line installation will be occurring along Route 670 (Trinity Road) which will include traffic control for work along the shoulder. Work will continue through July 2020.
· Road closure along Route 658 (Welches Run Road) from Route 460 to Laymantown Road. Outside lane closure on westbound Route 460 between Coyner Springs Road and Welches Run Road involving Jersey barriers for a Roanoke Gas project through July 2020.
· Possible road closures on various two-lane roads in British Woods, Ivy Lane, and Orchard Lake subdivisions through July 2020 for Roanoke Gas line renewal project.
(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.
–Submitted by Jen Ward, VDOT Public Relations, Salem District
