The following is a list of forecasted highway projects that may impact traffic traveling in the 12-county Salem Transportation District this week. Work schedules and construction project timelines are always subject to change and weather dependent. The Salem District covers Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski and Roanoke counties.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
I-81 NORTHBOUND AT EXIT 105 NEW RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Traffic on northbound I-81 has been switched onto the newly constructed bridge over the New River at the Montgomery/Pulaski County line. The old bridge is being demolished. Lane and shoulder closures may be in place near exit 105. Lane closure may be in effect during the week from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Shoulder closures may be in effect at any time during the week. Slow rolls may be performed on I-81 in the north and southbound lanes from mile marker 98 to 109. Speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone. Shoulder closures will remain in place though the duration of the project. Project completion is estimated by summer 2023.
ROUTE 8 PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS – Work will soon begin to construct pedestrian improvements on Route 8 in Riner. The work zone will begin at the intersection with Route 669 (Union Valley Road) and will end at the current site of the Atlantic Union Bank. Drivers should expect lane closures with flagging operations between the hours of 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through the start of the project until May 24, end of the school year. Once the school year is complete, lane closures will expand in hours to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Expected completion is late summer 2023.
INTERSTATE 81
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. 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 walls can be installed for road crews to work behind. Barrier walls 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:
LANE CLOSURES: 24-hour lane closures northbound are being scheduled for upcoming bridge repairs. Dates and times are still being determined.
- TRAFFIC SHIFT ON WILDWOOD ROAD: Expect a traffic shift with narrow width on Wildwood road after exiting I-81 southbound heading towards Salem. Southbound and northbound I-81 exit and entrance ramp narrows possible at Route 311.
- WORK ZONE SPEED: With narrow spacing in lanes due to barrier walls, lack of shoulders and lane shifts in various locations, drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work zone and allow space when following a vehicle.
- RAMP CLOSURES: Ramp closures are possible during nighttime hours, midnight to 5 a.m. Drivers should watch for message boards dates and times the ramp will be closed.
- LANE CLOSURES: Alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, are possible. Lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet.
o Northbound lane closures from I-81 mile marker 136 to 141.
o Southbound Lane closures from I-81 mile marker 141 to 136.
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
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.
I-81 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81. Between mile markers 138 to 152, right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
INTERSTATE 581
ROUTE 581 BRIDGE WORK OVER WILLIAMSON ROAD –Bridge work is underway on Route 11 (Williamson Road). Intermittent and alternating lane closures between the intersections with Rutherford Avenue and Wells Avenue are still possible. Intermittent daytime and nighttime lane closures between the intersections above may still be required utilizing flagging operations. Any impacts to I-581 will be minimal. Expected completion is spring 2023.
I-581/220 EXPRESSWAY 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.
I-581/220 LANE & RAMP CLOSURES FOR PAVING AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS IN ROANOKE COUNTY– Weather permitting, crews will be milling and paving along Interstate 81. Right and left lane closures will be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours. Drivers should expect possible delays.
INTERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)
I-77 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will be performing paving operations along Interstate 77 between mile marker 24 and 0. Right and left lane closures may be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Drivers should watch for moving vehicles and equipment. Expect possible delays.
I-77 BRIDGE DECK AND MAINTENANCE REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 77. Right and left lane closures may be in place northbound or southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
- Right and left lane closures in place on I-77 southbound, mile marker 13.5 to 12.5 over Route 702 and I-77 northbound, mile marker 11.5 to 12.7 over Route 702. Height restrictions are in place at 14’ 6”.
ROANOKE CITY
13th STREET SE IMPROVEMENTS WITH DETOUR – A project to improve a portion of 13th Street SE in Roanoke is underway. Located in a residential neighborhood just east of downtown Roanoke, this project will improve traffic flow and connectivity along 13th Street SE from Tazewell Avenue to Norfolk Avenue. The project entails reconstructing about 0.2-mile of 13th Street as an improved, two-lane roadway with 10.5-foot-wide travel lane and a raised median. A new roadway will extend 13th Street to Norfolk Avenue and the intersection at 13th Street and Wise Avenue will be reconfigured to include a roundabout. Bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks and curb and gutter will also be added. Southbound 13th Street traffic has a detour in place using Norfolk Avenue onto 12th Street to Tazewell Avenue. This detour will be in place throughout the duration of this project. Signs will be posted to designate the detour route. Northbound 13th Street will remain open to traffic. Flaggers may be possible and the speed limit through the work zone is 25 mph. The project is expected to be completed in summer 2023.
TRAFFIC PATTERN CHANGE: Northbound traffic will be switched to the northbound lane of 13th Street. Southbound traffic will still be detoured around the work zone.
BEDFORD COUNTY
ROUTE 608 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – A bridge replacement on Route 608 is underway. The bridge is located 0.20 mi south from Route 793 (Watson Road) to 2.30 miles north from Route 122 (Moneta Road). The road is closed and a detour is in place. The road is scheduled to reopen in late fall 2023.
ROUTE 221 INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS – A project to improve safety and operations at three signalized intersections is underway. Two intersections are on Route 221 in Bedford County in the Salem District and one is at Route 460 Business (Timberlake Road) and Route 622 (Waterlick Road) in Campbell County in the Lynchburg District. In Bedford County, this project will improve two adjacent signalized intersections in the Forest area on Route 221 at Route 1425 (Graves Mill Road) and at Route 1426 (Gristmill Drive). Most work will be performed during nighttime hours, Monday through Friday, 6 p.m. – 7 a.m. the next morning. Drivers may see shoulder and lane closures during daytime hours on the weekends. The project is expected to be completed in spring 2023.
ROUTE 715 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – A bridge replacement project over Norfolk Southern Railroad has Route 715 (Lowry Road) closed. The bridge is located 0.085 mile south of Norfolk Southern Railroad to 0.048 mile north of Norfolk Southern Railroad on Route 715. Message boards will alert drivers. This replacement will change the current single lane steel and wooden bridge to a two-lane concrete bridge. A detour will be in place. Travelers will use Route 671 (Timber Ridge Road) to Route 221 (Forrest Road). The detour will remain in place until project completion which is scheduled for February 2023.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
DALEVILLE INTERSECTION PROJECT FOR FIELDSTONE DEVELOPMENT ACCESS – Lane closures northbound and southbound on Route 220 in Daleville will be in place for construction of a median with crossover, a right turn lane and a new traffic signal. This work is associated with construction of the Fieldstone Development. Lane closures will be set up on various days in early 2023.
ROUTE 11 BUCHANAN BRIDGE PROJECT – A construction project on the Route 11 Bridge in the Town of Buchanan is underway. Water Street is closed for the duration of the project and drivers should expect periodic lane closures with flagging operations to be in place during daytime hours. Message boards are present to alert and update drivers. Expected completion in summer 2023.
CARROLL COUNTY
ROUTE 645 CULVERT REPLACEMENT – Partial removal and demolition of the existing culvert on Route 645 (Stone Mountain Road) is underway. The road will be closed for removal of existing culvert and installation of a new box culvert. A detour will be in place at the intersections of Route 645 and Route 618 and Route 645 and Route 638. Estimated completion is April 2023.
CRAIG COUNTY
ROUTE 311 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER MEADOW CREEK – Temporary signals control traffic across the bridge and will be in place throughout the project. Construction will begin on the northbound side of the bridge and once completed, work will switch to the southbound side. In addition, a section of Route 646 (Allen Street) between Route 650 and Route 311 will be closed during construction and a signed detour will be in place. All traffic will be detoured to Marshall Street and Kanawha Street to access either 311 or the homes located off Allen Street. Speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph in the work zone with a width restriction of 9 feet. Drivers should expect delays and allow extra travel time through the work zone. Weather permitting, the bridge is expected to be open to traffic by the late spring 2023.
TRAFFIC SWITCH: Traffic is using the southbound lane to the northbound lane while work continues. Southbound lanes are closed. Temporary traffic signals will continue to direct traffic and message boards will notify drivers.
FLOYD COUNTY
None at this time.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
ROUTE 739 CLOSURE FOR BRIDGE REPAIRS – Effective Tuesday, February 7 at 8 a.m., a section of Route 739 (Bethany Road) over the North Fork of Blackwater River will be closed for bridge repairs. The bridge is located 0.55 miles from Route 743 (London Ridge Road) and 0.65 miles from Route 808 (Rockland Road). The road is scheduled to reopen late afternoon/evening on February 9.
ROUTE 834 AND 670 ROUNDABOUT PROJECT – The roundabout project at Route 834 (Brooks Mill Road) and Route 670 (Burnt Chimney Road) is nearing completion. Flaggers will be controlling traffic around the intersection of Route 670 (Burnt Chimney Road) and Route 834 (Brooks Mill Road) on weekdays during the spring and summer months. The speed limit will be reduced to 35 mph in the work zone. Drivers should expect traffic shifts and new traffic patterns throughout the duration of the project as turn lanes and portions of the new roundabout are being constructed. The project is expected to be completed in early 2023.
GILES COUNTY
None at this time.
HENRY COUNTY
ROUTE 220 BUSINESS NORTHBOUND BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER REED CREEK – The Route 220 Business northbound bridge replacement over Reed Creek is underway. It is located on Route 220 Business over Reed Creek approximately 0.4 miles east of the Route 220 and Route 220 Business intersection. The bridge work will require the northbound bridge being restricted to one lane of travel across the bridge throughout the duration of the project. The bridge will have a width restriction in place of 13’ 6” and lane closures will be in place. Message boards will be in place to alert drivers. Expected completion date is late summer 2024.
PATRICK COUNTY
ROUTE 58 LOVER’S LEAP PROJECT – Construction is underway on the Lover’s Leap area of Route 58. Current work includes clearing and grading activities on the west and east portions of the project. While traffic impacts are limited in the east section, flagging operations may be in place in the west section. A 45 mph speed reduction is in place on Route 58 for the entire length of the project. Message boards are in place to alert traffic and drivers should expect delays. Estimated completion date is May 2026.
TREE TRIMMING: A flagging operation with a mobile lane closure may be in place on Route 58 on Sundays, 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., for tree trimming as part of the current Route 58 Lover’s Leap Project. A tentative date of Sunday, February 5 is possible.
BLASTING NOTICE: Blasting operations are underway on the project. Intermittent blasting will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays and continue at various locations on the project through summer 2025. The first blasting will impact traffic in the vicinity of Dehart Botanical Gardens, approximately 1.7 miles east of the Lovers Leap Mountain overlook and Fred Clifton Park. For blasting that is close to Route 58, traffic in both directions may be blocked for approximately 15-20 minutes at a time. Drivers and residents along the Route 58 corridor should expect loud noise and allow extra travel time. Electronic message boards will be used to inform drivers of scheduled blasting that will impact traffic.
DETOUR SIGNS: While detour signs in a fluorescent pink color are in place, these do not designate a permanent or scheduled detour. The signed detour route is suitable for all traffic during incidents including tractor-trailers and other large vehicles. These signs are used for incident detours only.
PULASKI COUNTY
ROUTE 709 (BURLEIGH HORTON ROAD) IMPROVEMENTS – A project to widen, resurface and make other general improvements is underway on Route 709 (Burleigh Horton Road) from where the road begins at the intersection with Route 100 (Wysor Road) through the end at the intersection with Route 654 (Old Baltimore Road). Alternating single lane closures will be in place maintained by flagging operations. Tree removal and pipe installation may require intermittent flagging. Expected completion is mid-summer 2023.
