Highlights of that work include:
I-81 southbound slope repairs in Montgomery County – On southbound I-81 from mile marker 126 to 127, drivers should expect delays due to shoulder closures and lane shifts with barrier wall on the three lane section of roadway for slope repairs. Rock scaling operations involving heavy machinery will be performed during daytime hours and will remain behind the barrier wall on the shoulder. Lane widths will be reduced from 12 feet to 11 feet. Traffic will remain shifted in this formation through November 2019.
Pavement marking operations on I-81 – Pavement marking operations will be performed district-wide, in various counties. These will be mobile operations from mile marker 128 (Montgomery County) to mile marker 151 (Botetourt County) with lane closures affecting north and southbound, right and left alternating lanes during the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Motorists should use caution and follow mobile signs for direction.
I-81 bridge deck repairs – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81. 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.
I-81 northbound at exit 105 New River Bridge replacement in Montgomery County –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 104 to 106 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. 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. Estimated completion is December 2020.
The northbound on-ramp at exit 105 is closed for approximately six months. A detour will be in place from Route 232 onto Rock Road to Tyler Avenue to exit 109 to get on the interstate. The northbound off-ramp will be using the newly built overpass bridge while the detour is in place. There is an 11-foot width restriction.
*i-81 bridge jacking over Interstate 81 in Pulaski County– As part of a bridge jacking project, the bridge over Interstate 81 at exit 92 towards Draper in Pulaski County has been raised to increase its clearance over I-81 along with additional repairs. It is now open to traffic. Pavement markings and residual work in the area will continue. Estimated completion of the project is September 2019. There will be north and southbound right lane closures from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m. from mile marker 93.3 to mile marker 92.
I-81 bridge replacement at exit 114 in Montgomery County – The bridge replacement of the two Interstate 81 bridges over Route 8 is underway. Temporary lane closures, traffic shifts and road detours may be necessary during construction. Depending on the final design of the project, the estimated construction duration could be 24-30 months. Speed limit will be reduced to 60 mph and a temporary traffic signal will direct traffic on Route 8 throughout the duration of the project. Access to all properties will be maintained during construction. Estimated completion is summer 2021.
Route 8 will have alternating shoulder closures in the north and southbound lanes, from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m., as needed. A pair of temporary traffic signals are actively controlling traffic movements for the on and off ramps from Route 8 onto I-81 and from I-81 onto Route 8. Message boards are alerting traffic to the change. I-81 Exit 114 alternating ramp shoulder closures will be ongoing, weather permitting, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Speed limit has been reduced from 70 to 60 mph in the work zone in the vicinity of exit 114.
I-81 guardrail repairs – Beginning the week of September 9, work on guardrail may be performed on north and southbound I-81 be in Pulaski, Montgomery, Roanoke and Botetourt Counties at various locations. Alternating closure will be in place during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning, Sunday through Friday.
I-81 pothole patching operations – Weather permitting, crews will patch potholes along Interstate 81. Mobile right and left lane closures will be in place and moving along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for moving vehicles and equipment. Expect possible delays.
I-81 Montgomery County paving operations – Paving operations will be taking place on I-81 from mile marker 116 to mile marker 126 northbound. All traffic will be maintained through work zones with construction signs, message boards, arrow boards and TMA. The work will be performed at night from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Meadow Creek road realignment – Construction will be occurring adjacent to Route 658 (Meadow Creek Road) between Route 177 (Tyler Road) and Route 627 (Barn Road). Construction traffic entering highway should be anticipated. Total project will relocate Meadow Creek Road with an anticipated completion date of March 2020.
Waterline construction – In August 2019, construction of a waterline along Route 659 (Vicker Switch Road), Route 719 (Switchback Road), Route 660 (Crab Creek Road), and Route 661 (Chrisman Mill Road) will include shoulder closures and lane closures. The work is expected to in February 2021.
Building construction on Route 661 – Construction of a pump station along Route 661 (Chrisman Mill Road), between the railroad crossing and Route 662 (Silver Lake Road) in increase construction traffic on Route 661. Traffic should expect shoulder closures and short-term lane closures with a flagging operation along Route 661 for the initial construction of an entrance. Increased construction traffic should be expected.
Reese Mountain road connector – Shoulder closure in place along Route 603 (North Fork Road) between Route 727 (Fox Holler) and I-81 Exit 128. Additional impacts to occur on Reese Mountain Road (private) for work on Phase I Reese Mountain Road Connector Road. Daily impacts to the private road are expected to begin August 15 and continue through October 2019.
Route 639 bridge replacement over Elliott Creek – A permanent road closure and detour along Route 639 in Montgomery County, December 3, 2018 to December 6, 2019, for the replacement of Bridge 664 over Elliot Creek. The detour will utilize Route 638 (George’s Run Road) and Route 637 (Alleghany Spring Road). Estimated completion: December 2019.
Route 685 construction and utility work – Route 685 (Prices Fork Road) between Route 1145 (Stradford View Drive) and Route 736 (Tucker Road) may have shoulder and lane closures in place for the replacement and relocation of utilities for a construction project. Flagging operations with alternating lanes are also possible. Work will be performed Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 9 p.m. The main construction will continue through September 2019..
Southgate Drive at Virginia Tech – Lane and shoulder closures and activity in the work zone continue. Motorists should use caution in the area and expect delays and lane closures periodically. Alternating left and/or right lane closures pr flagging operations may be in place, weather permitting. between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for various operations as needed. The lane closures will be set up between Duck Pond Roundabout and the Southgate Diverging Diamond Interchange.
