VDOT Road Watch May 13 -19

(UPDATED 5-13-22) * INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXIT 137 TO EXIT 141 – A $179 million design-build project to widen both directions of I-81 between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 from two to three lanes is set to begin. Starting in February and continuing into the early summer, work will be performed on the inside and outside shoulders along a five mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. The shoulders will be built up before barrier wall can be installed for road crews to work behind. Barrier wall will be installed along the shoulders in the spring and summer. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction will remain open during the project with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed.  Drivers can expect the following lane closures and upcoming impacts on northbound and southbound I-81:

·       BARRIER WALLS: Barrier wall installation is in process. Nighttime lane closures will be in place and lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet.

·       TRAFFIC SHIFT: Drivers should expect a traffic shift towards the shoulder of the roadway the week of May 9 for southbound,

·       From mid-March until mid-June, nighttime right lane and shoulder closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday

·       From mid-May to mid-June, alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday

Nightly lane closures may be in place along the right lane with possible nightly ramp narrows as needed for guardrail and shoulder strengthening.

·       Northbound I-81 lane closures from mile marker 138 to 142

·       Northbound I-81 exit and entrance ramp narrows possible at Route 311.

·       On April 5, the northbound Route 311 ramp will be closed from midnight to 5 a.m.

The project also includes replacing six bridges, widening two bridges, installing approximately 2.6 miles of sound barrier walls along northbound I-81, improving the southbound exit 137 off-ramp intersection at Wildwood Road and adding interchange lighting at exits 137, 140 and 141 are also included in the project. Expected completion in early 2026. 

(NEW 5-13-22) * I-81 TROUTVILLE REST AREA CLOSURE – The Troutville Rest Area located on southbound Interstate 81 near mile marker 158 in Botetourt County will be closed from late May 2022 until early September 2022. Signage indicating the closure has been posted in the rest area. During the closure, a temporary concrete barrier wall will be installed in front of the facility, so motorists will not be able to enter the rest area or use the parking lot and restrooms. This project will extend the ramp into the rest area by 500 feet and the ramp out of the rest area by 2,100 feet. It will also include expanding the truck parking area at the facility by about 10-13 spaces. Visitors to the rest area may see some preliminary work, such as drainage improvements, as early as this spring.  However, the major construction will begin after Memorial Day, and the rest area facility, ramps and parking lot will be closed to the public from late May until early September. Work is expected to be completed in early fall 2022.

·       REST AREA OPTIONS:
While the Troutville Rest Area is closed, southbound I-81 drivers can use the Fairfield Rest Area at mile marker 195 in Rockbridge County or the Radford Rest Area at mile marker 108 in Montgomery County. In addition, the Troutville Weigh Station, located on southbound I-81 at mile marker 149, will have portable toilets and parking will be temporarily available for commercial vehicles.

(UPDATED 5-13-22) * INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION EXIT 141 TO EXIT 143 – A project to widen the lanes on I-81 in Roanoke in both northbound and southbound directions between Exit 141 to Exit 143 has been underway. All lanes now open and will remain open through winter with periodic lane closures at night as needed. The final surface paving and markings for northbound will resume this summer. Drivers can expect rough pavement. Estimated completion date of the project is summer 2022.

(NEW 4-29-22) * ROUTE 684 CULVERT REPLACEMENT – Two culvert replacements on Route 684 (Sugar Tree Hollow Road) are underway. Each culvert replacement will be performed separately beginning with the culvert that is 2.1 miles from the intersection of Old Fincastle Road. The road will be closed and a detour will be in place with a closure of no more than 30 days. This culvert is expected to be closed this week or during the last week of April. Once this culvert is completed, the replacement of the culvert located 1.9 miles from the intersection of Old Fincastle Road will begin with a road closure and detour in place for a maximum of 30 days. Estimated completion is end of June 2022.

(NEW 4-29-22) * ROUTE 674 CULVERT REPLACEMENT – A culvert replacement on Route 674 (Tinker Mill Road) will begin on May 3. Temporary signals will be in place to control traffic through a single lane at the culvert during construction. Expected completion is early July 2022.  

(UPDATED 3-4-22) * ROUTE 611 (GREYLEDGE ROAD) CLOSURE – On Monday, November 1, a 1.5 mile section of Route 611 (Greyledge Road) will be closed due to flooding that has damaged the roadway. Extensive repairs will be needed and a detour will be in place. There is no estimated time for the road to reopen.

(UPDATED 4-29-22) * ROUTE 817 (OLD RAIL ROAD) BRIDGE WORK – Beginning November 8, Old Rail Road in Oriskany will be closed for repairs to the bridge over Craig’s Creek, the historic McCallister Truss Bridge. The bridge is located 0.60 miles from Route 704 (Branchwater Road) and 0.20 miles from Route 770 (Edlo Lane). The bridge will be closed during daytime hours, 8 a.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, when the water is level is low. Work on this bridge is restricted when waters in the creek is high. All traffic between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. will use the Edlo Ford. Signs have been posted to alert drivers. Estimated time for completion Fall 2022.

(UPDATED 2-25-22) * ROUTE 220 SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS IN EAGLE ROCK – The project is coming to a close. To complete the project, remaining rumble strips, restriping and other pavement marking operations will resume when temperatures rise in spring 2022. The 45 mph speed reduction and width restrictions have been removed. Occasional flagging operations may be in place on Route 220 for residual work in the north and southbound lanes between Eagle Rock and Iron Gate, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers should watch for signs. Completion of project expected in spring 2022.

(UPDATED 4-29-22) * PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes.  Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours.  Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

·       Route 672 will have a flagging operation in place for paving from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

·       Route 11 (Lee Highway) will have milling and paving operations at the intersection with Route 640 (Brughs Mill Road).  Single Lane closures and flagging operations will be in place from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 

Submitted by Jen K. Ward

VDOT Communications Specialist, Salem District