VDOT Roadwatch this week
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. Portable toilets and parking will be temporarily available for commercial vehicles at the Troutville Weigh Station located on southbound I-81 at mile marker 149.
The rest area will be closed due to work on a $4.9 million project to improve safety and traffic flow by extending the ramp into and the ramp out of the rest area. Because there will be so many construction activities within such a small area and within a short period of time, the rest area is being closed ensure the safety of the traveling public and workers.
The existing ramps at this rest area are very short. Extending them will improve safety by providing motorists more space to accelerate or decelerate. The off ramp into the rest area will be extended approximately 500 feet and the ramp onto southbound I-81 will be extended approximately 2,100 feet. The project also includes expanding the truck parking area at the facility by about 10-13 spaces. VDOT awarded the contract for the project was awarded to Branch Civil Inc. from Roanoke in February.
The Troutville Rest Area ramp extension project is a part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in December 2018. The more than $2 billion package of focused improvements was funded by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law in spring 2019.
Additional information about the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program is available at Improve81.org. The website includes interactive maps and schedules and details about upcoming and current projects that are designed to improve safety, increase reliability and foster economic growth along the 325-mile I-81 corridor.
VDOT has produced a podcast and a video to provide more information about the Troutville Rest Area ramp extension project. These can be found on the News Multimedia page of Improve81.org.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
(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.
–Jen K Ward– Communications Specialist VDOT Salem District
