Drivers should expect detouring to Route 11
Lori Graham
Contributing Writer
CHRISTIANSBURG – Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Residency Administrator for Montgomery County David Clarke shared important information with the supervisors during their meeting on July 10 concerning the Interstate 81-project in the Salem area of Roanoke County at exit 137.
Drivers should be aware that bridge work off this exit will require the closure of a lane of I-81 north for a few days.
“We are going to do a lot of signing for detours,” Clarke said. “It’s going to be like a suggested detour. The problem is, we’re going to try to get as many people off 128 and maybe 118, and maybe use route 11 as possible. You can’t really put them back on at Dixie Caverns, that’s 132.”
The closure is proposed to start Sunday, July 16 through Tuesday, July 18, with workers on the job day and night.
Clarke also updated the supervisors on road maintenance in Montgomery County. According to Clarke, work completed fully expended the budget for the previous fiscal year and included the machining of roads, with patching along the roads of: Meadows Creek, George’s Run, Alleghany Springs, Mount Pleasant, and Pilot Road. Ditch work was also conducted along Old Rough Road, Catawba, and Little Camp roads and on Chestnut Ridge.
Brush-cutting and work along 615 and along Huffville Road is additionally part of the work VDOT has or will be completing.
“We did a project down on Mossy Springs Road out to Catawba Road that was a sight distance problem, took a large bank off the side. That was with some safety funds, and we had to do a little bit of patchwork on that, so there’s also some shoulder work there on Catawba Road,” Clarke said.
The transportation department also plans to complete the six-year plan project this summer, which includes an unpaved section of Craig Mountain Road.
Supervisor Steve Fijalkowski shared citizen complaints concerning brush on the roads of Willis Hollow and Mount Pleasant.
“I was on my way to the Blacksburg parade for Fourth of July and I went down Den Hill. I guess it’s been a while since I’ve been down there. That is scary, how much that has grown into the road,” Fijalkowski said.
The other citizen complaint stated by Fijalkowski is some patching work along Alleghany Springs Road.
“Right at the south end of Strawberry Circle,” Fijalkowski said.
Board of Supervisors’ Chair, Sherri Blevins reminded citizens of the expansion of the Slow Down, Move Over law, which took effect on July 1.
“Currently, that’s any for red, white, blue, or amber flashing lights, we slow down and move over,” Blevins said. “But, as of July 1, that will also include any disabled vehicles with amber flashing emergency lights or flare set up as well, we will need to slow down and move over.”
In items of consent, the Board of Supervisors of Montgomery County unanimously appointed Deanna Cox to the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library Board effective July 1, 2023, and expiring June 30, 2027 and Kelly Edmonson to the New River Valley Community Services Board effective July 1, 2023 and expiring June 30, 2026.
Additionally, supervisors approved the employment contract between Montgomery County and Angela M. Hill, appointing Hill as the new County Administrator, effective November 1, 2023.
As another item of discussion in new business, a total FY 24 budget increase of $427,000 was approved in a 7-0 vote by the supervisors, apart from an amount of $138,728 that was amended for EMS one-time costs. This particular line item will be discussed again at a later date after more information is obtained for the supervisors’ clarification.
