VDOT News - Bristol

BRISTOL – In an effort to keep motorists informed, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides weekly information about highway construction and maintenance projects in southwestern Virginia. When traveling through highway work zones, use caution and be alert to changes in traffic patterns and slow-moving or stopped traffic.

To help motorists take the guesswork out of travel plans, call VDOT’s 511 or visit http://www.511virginia.org for real-time traffic information.

Entries with asterisks (***) indicate the listing is new or the status of the project has changed since last week’s traffic alert.

INTERSTATE PROJECTS

***Interstate 81 bridges at Atkins: A project to replace the Interstate 81 bridges near mile marker 52 in the Atkins area of Smyth County is underway. This week, be alert to alternating north and southbound left lane closures during daylight hours Monday (June 29) – Thursday (July 2) to ensure safety while bridge construction is underway. Wide loads over 12' are not permitted when the daytime lane closures are in place. Pay close attention to message boards and signs. Also be alert to shoulder closures through the work zone and the possibility of lane closures on Route 11 beneath the bridges. The speed limit in the work zone is 60 mph. (Completion: Fall 2022)

Interstate 81 – bridges over Reed Creek: Be alert to an altered traffic pattern on Interstate 81 at the bridges over Reed Creek in Wythe County due to replacement of the bridges. Be alert to a southbound right lane closure from 8 p.m. Wednesday (July 1) until noon Thursday (July 2) due to a bridge deck pour. During the southbound lane closure, the left lane will be restricted to 11 feet. The northbound travel lanes are restricted to two, 11-foot-wide lanes with left and right shoulder closures. The bridges are located about one-mile north of the I-77 split at I-81 exit 81. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph, and the northbound lanes are restricted to two, 11-foot-wide travel lanes with the left and right shoulders closed. Allow extra travel time and watch out for workers. (Completion: Fall 2021)

Interstate 81 – bridges over Mulberry Lane: Due to the project to replace the Interstate 81 bridges over Route 686 (Mulberry Lane) in Smyth County near exit 50, be alert to traffic shifts in the work zone. Mulberry Lane is closed underneath the interstate. Pay close attention to detour signs directing traffic around the closed portion of Mulberry Lane. The speed limit through the work zone is 60 mph. Anticipate lane closures on I-81 during the overnight hours during construction. (Completion: Fall 2020) 

***Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities: This week, no lane closures are scheduled on Interstates 81 and 77 due to maintenance activities; however, be alert to work along the shoulder of the interstates due to activities such as sign repairs and debris removal.

PRIMARY HIGHWAYS AND HIGH TRAFFIC SECONDARY ROADS:

Buchanan County

Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A: Construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase A is underway in Buchanan County. Impacts on motorists are minimal because the majority of the work is on a new location; however, the project has created a permanent change for Route 614 (Woods Fork). Poplar Creek Phase A will split a portion of Route 614 and cul-de-sacs will be added on either end of Route 614 where it ends at the new highway, approximately 2.75 miles from Route 609 at Bull Creek and 1.25 miles from Route 604 at Poplar Creek. Access to the north and south ends of Route 614 will be via Routes 609 (Bull Creek Road) and 604 (Poplar Creek Road), respectively, which connect to Route 460 west of Grundy.

Grayson County

***Route 832 (Grassy Knob Lane): The Route 832 (Grassy Knob Lane) bridge in Grayson County will be closed July 7 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. for replacement. The bridge is located a half-mile from Route 728 and 0.55 to the dead end. (Completion: July 7)

Route 21 shoulder widening/rumble strip project: Be alert to the possibility of lane closures on Route 21 in Wythe County and Grayson County between Wytheville Corporate Limits to Independence Corporate Limits due to shoulder widening, the installation of rumble strips and paving to enhance safety along the highway. (Completion: mid-August 2020)  

Lee County

Route 660 – bridge deck replacement over Hardy Creek: Due to a project to replace the deck of the Route 660 bridge over Hardy Creek in Lee County, the bridge is closed to traffic and will remain closed through mid-July. Motorists will detour using Routes 663 and 658. The bridge is located 1.2-miles from Route 658. (Completion: mid-September 2020)

Route 58 bridge over the Powell River: Due to replacement of the Route 58 bridge over the Powell River near Jonesville in Lee County, signals are controlling one-way traffic across the bridge. Use caution in this area and allow for slight travel delays. (Completion: fall 2021)

Scott County

Utility Installation: Be alert to utility installation work along Route 870 (Daniel Boone Road) and connecting secondary highways near Gate City.  The project is near the quarry pond and will extend westward to Route 789 (Sarah Circle). (Completion: February 2021)

Route 600 (Fairview Road): Be alert to water installation work and lane closures on Route 600 (Fairview Road) and connecting secondary routes in Scott County. (Completion: Fall 2020)

Utility Projects – various locations: Anticipate lane closures during daylight hours due to power line installation along U.S. Route 23 between Route 600 (Fairview Road) and Route 625 (Angler’s Way). (Completion: Summer 2020)

Smyth County

Route 16 – shoulder repairs: This week, be alert to the possibility of lane closures and flaggers along Route 16 between Route 622 (Nicks Creek) to Route 699 (Brushy Mountain Road) in Smyth County due to shoulder repairs. (Completion: June 2020)

Wise County

Route 23 – median shoulder improvements: Be alert to lane closures on Route 23 between the Food City in Wise and the Virginia/Kentucky state line due to a project to improve the median shoulder area. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: October 2020)

Route 68 (Exeter Road): Delays during daylight hours are possible on Route 68 (Exeter Road) near Appalachia due to a sewer line installation project. (Completion: Summer 2020)  

Wythe County

Route 21 shoulder widening/rumble strip project: Be alert to the possibility of lane closures on Route 21 in Wythe County and Grayson County between Wytheville Corporate Limits to Independence Corporate Limits due to shoulder widening, the installation of rumble strips and paving to enhance safety along the highway. (Completion: mid-August 2020)      (END)

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.