VDOT Road Watch features I-81 work and US 220 North changes

(UPDATED 8-13-21) * I-81 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

·       Botetourt County:Milling and paving will take place on I-81 northbound between mile marker 171.5 in Botetourt County to the Rockbridge County Line between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning.

·       Botetourt County:Alternating lane closures will be in place between mile marker 167 and 168.5 on northbound I-81 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning, Sunday night to Friday morning.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

(UPDATED 8-13-21) * 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, seven days per week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 24-hour flagging operations may be in place from May to August 2021. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph throughout the project and may 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. Drivers should watch for signs. Work is estimated to be completed fall 2021.

·       TRAFFIC SWITCH:

o   Beginning August 14, traffic will be shifted to the new pavement on southbound Route 220 just north of South Chatham. Traffic will now be utilizing the southbound lane that includes a portion of the new alignment. Message boards will update traffic.

·       FLAGGING OPERATIONS:

o   Beginning July 19, 24-hour a day, 7-days a week flagging operations will be in place throughout the project. Multiple traffic shifts between Route 722 (Chatham Road south) and Route 696 (Locust Bottom Road/Buhrman Road). 

o   Flagger operations will be in place periodically from Route 43 (Narrow Passage Road) to Route 694 (Gala Loop South), 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., until further notice.

–Jen K Ward, Communications Specialist, VDOT Salem District