http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2008/default.asp VDOT News Headlines en-us Fri, 17 May 2013 14:45:42 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/transportation_board_releases_draft65815.asp SALEM – The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on Wednesday approved a draft Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) which outlines the CTB’s plan to distribute the anticipated funds for public transit, rail and interstate and primary highway construction projects for the fiscal years 2014-2019. The $15.4 billion draft program includes almost $4 billion in additional statewide transportation funding to be invested in the Commonwealth’s transportation network as identified by HB 2313, the state's first comprehensive transportation funding plan approved in 27 years and signed into law by Governor Bob McDonnell. The portion of the SYIP for the Salem District includes $533 million for transportation funding to be allocated for project development and construction over the next six years.  This is an increase of more than 20 percent from last year’s $431 million program for Salem District. Two major projects currently under development continue to receive funding in the draft program. Funding is included for the $46.8 million I-81 exit 150 improvement project in Botetourt County and the $46.7 million Route 460 Southgate interchange project in Blacksburg.  Both projects are expected to be advertised for construction bids in FY 2015.   A key component of the draft SYIP is the rehabilitation of the transportation system with the new revenues supporting VDOT’s efforts to extend the life of pavement and replace bridges.  For the Salem District, the draft SYIP identifies funding to continue preliminary engineering to develop plans to replace more than 50 bridges. The major new highlights of the draft SYIP for Salem District include the following: • An additional $47.1 million for paving and pavement rehabilitation projects for interstate and primary roads was included in the program to be spent over the next six years. • An additional $47 million was included to eliminate the shortfall in funding to replace the northbound I-81 bridge over the New River.  The $78.1 million project now is fully funded and expected to be advertised for construction bids in FY 2018. • An additional $6.5 million was identified to install a variable speed limit system on I-77 between mile markers 0 and 12 in Carroll County.  The project is expected to be advertised for work to start in FY 2014. • An additional $2.8 million was included to cover cost increases on the Route 603 Ironto/Elliston Connector project in Montgomery County.  This $19.7 million project is expected to be advertised for construction bids in FY 2014. • An additional $8.9 million to pave unpaved secondary roads with traffic volumes of more than 200 vehicles per day was included in the plan to be spent over the next six years. • An additional $11.3 million was included in the SYIP for counties to prioritize as part of secondary road improvements.  These funds are identified in the program in FY 2017-2019. The public has the opportunity to review the draft program and provide input, which will be taken into the consideration by the CTB before the final program is adopted in June. The FY 2014-2019 program will go into effect July 1, 2013.    The CTB will hold public hearings across the state to solicit public comments about rail, transit, transportation demand management, bicycle, pedestrian and highway projects in the draft SYIP.   The public hearing for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Salem, Bristol, Lynchburg and Staunton districts will be held on Tuesday, June 4 at 6 p.m. at Northside High School in Roanoke.   The draft six-year program is online at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/syp-default.asp. Fri, 17 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_southbound_detours65823.asp SALEM – Beginning Sunday, May 19, nighttime detours are scheduled on southbound Interstate 81 for the ongoing road construction project to build a... Fri, 17 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_interstate_8165766.asp SALEM – As part of the ongoing work to construct a truck climbing lane on southbound I-81 between mile markers 125 and 120 on southbound I-81, a detour is planned tonight.   The previously announced detour time has been rescheduled, and the detour will now be in place starting at 8:30 p.m.  The detour is expected to be removed at 6 a.m. on Thursday morning. Southbound I-81 traffic will be detour off I-81 at exit 132 (Dixie Caverns) onto Route 11/460 and back onto I-81 at exit 118 (Christiansburg). Tonight, a new traffic pattern will be put in place on southbound I-81 to take effect on Thursday morning.  Traffic on southbound I-81 will be routed onto a new section of roadway between mile marker 125 and 123.5.  Drivers should also be aware that the shoulder will be narrowed along newly paved section of roadway and barrier wall will be installed.  Drivers are advised to expect a change in traffic pattern and use caution.   Dates and times are tentative and could be adjusted due to weather or work schedule.  Signs and message boards will be in place to alert drivers to these traffic detours and lane closures. Work on the truck climbing lane project is expected to be completed in November 2013. For traffic information and updates, visit www.511Virginia.org. Wed, 15 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_nighttime_detours65507.asp SALEM – Beginning Sunday, May 12, nighttime detours are scheduled on southbound Interstate 81 for the ongoing road construction project to build a... Thu, 09 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_traffic_will65492.asp SALEM – As part of the Route 221 construction project in Roanoke County, traffic on Route 688 (Cotton Hill Road) will be reduced to one lane... Wed, 08 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_a_section65420.asp SALEM – Beginning Monday, May 13, crews will close a section of Route 625 (Big Falls Road) while crews repair the Route 625 bridge over Norris Run... Tue, 07 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/$12.7_million_in_contracts65421.asp SALEM — In April, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) awarded seven contracts totaling... Mon, 06 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_railroad_crossing65422.asp SALEM – On Thursday, May 9, the railroad crossing at the intersection of Route 642 (Jennelle Street) and Route 603 (Cedar Run Road) in Montgomery... Mon, 06 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_nighttime_lane65423.asp Update (03/07/2013) Due to the weather, the following changes were made to the I-81 truck climbing lane schedule for this week: Northbound... Fri, 03 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/vdot_expands_environmental_study65390.asp SALEM – The Virginia Department of Transportation has expanded its current environmental study for Interstate 81 to include the seven-mile section between exit 143 in Roanoke County and exit 150 in Botetourt County.    In fall 2012, VDOT, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), began work to prepare a Tier 2 Environmental Assessment for proposed highway improvements on I-81 between exit 118 (Route 460) in Christiansburg and exit 143 (Interstate 581) in Roanoke County.  This section of I-81 between exit 118 and exit 143 was identified as a section of independent utility in the previously completed Tier 1 Final Environmental Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) in 2007. Based on a recent traffic analysis associated with the Tier 2 document, VDOT has determined that the traffic and volumes and commuting patterns along the seven-mile portion of I-81 between exit 143 and exit 150 represent a more logical breakpoint and are consistent with the original study section between exit 143 and exit 118.  Therefore, VDOT has altered the section of independent utility and study area to include the additional seven miles north to exit 150.   “It makes sense to group the section of I-81 between I-581 and exit 150 into this study because of what we are seeing with both existing and projected traffic patterns from exit 141 north to exit 150.  The tiered approach does allow for such adjustments to be made as we move forward with the more detailed analysis,” explains Angel Deem, VDOT’s location studies project manager.   Since the study’s launch last fall, work has been underway to assess the potential impacts to environmental and cultural resources along the section of I-81 between Christiansburg and Roanoke.  VDOT held public meetings in February 2013 to receive input on the study area.  Compilation of traffic data is now underway along with the development of traffic forecasts These assessments, field reviews and traffic data analysis will continue this summer and will now include an additional seven miles of I-81. The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires consideration and documentation of potential environmental consequences of proposed transportation improvements and making the information available for public comment before specific location and design decisions are made.  VDOT anticipates making a draft of the Environmental Assessment available for public review and comment in fall 2013. In November 2003, VDOT and FHWA announced that the agencies had agreed to streamline the NEPA study process by dividing it into two phases, or tiers.  The Tier 1 study identified needs, developed solutions and evaluated potential impacts associated with conceptual-level improvements along the entire 325-mile I-81 corridor in Virginia.  The Tier 1 study also divided I-81 into eight segments for further detailed analysis, which could be performed in Tier 2 studies.  After completion of a Tier 2 study, FHWA may authorize use of federal funds for VDOT to begin designing construction plans for future improvements. Although much discussion has centered on the possible expansion of I-81 in Virginia, no plans or proposals can be implemented without the approval and concurrence of FHWA. Because the interstate system is federally funded, any proposed changes to the highway must comply with all federal laws, including NEPA.     Fri, 03 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8