The Virginia Department of Transportation has begun work to replace the riding surface on bridges at two locations along the Interstate 81 corridor.  This work is part of routine maintenance and will extend the life of the bridges.  Work is just beginning at these two locations, and traffic will be impacted later as the projects progress.

The first set of bridges is located in Montgomery County on northbound and southbound Interstate 81 at mile marker 128, near the Ironto exit.  The bridges are over the South Fork of the Roanoke River.  The $2.1 million project will begin to impact traffic on northbound and southbound I-81 within the next two weeks. 

In the weeks ahead, drivers can expect to encounter a long-term work zone with a concrete barrier wall and two narrowed travel lanes in each direction.  The speed limit in the work zone will be reduced to 55 mph.  Vehicles wider than 22 feet will be prohibited in the northbound lanes.  Vehicles wider than 11 feet will be prohibited in the southbound lanes.  A wide load detour has been established for southbound I-81 at Exit 132 (Dixie Caverns) to southbound Route 11/460 and then back to I-81 at Exit 128 (Ironto).   Bridge work at this location is expected to be completed by June 30.

The second bridge is located in Roanoke County on Route 115 (Plantation Road) over I-81 at Exit 146 (Hollins).  The $1.04 million project will impact traffic on Plantation Road and beneath the bridge on northbound and southbound I-81.  Traffic impacts will begin in the next three to six weeks.  Motorists should expect short-term lane closures on northbound and southbound I-81, Sunday through Thursday, between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. 

In the weeks ahead, concrete barrier wall will be installed to reduce traffic on the Plantation Road bridge to one lane, and temporary signals will be installed to control traffic.  Vehicles wider than 11 feet will not be able to cross the Plantation Road bridge.  The speed limit in this work zone will be reduced to 25 mph.  Bridge work at this location is expected to be completed in November. 

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-800-578-4111. (TTY/TDD users, call 711). Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.

Highway safety is everyone’s responsibility. Virginia’s highway safety partnership — the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Virginia State Police — challenges you to help prevent highway fatalities. Buckle up. Avoid distractions. Share the road. Drive drug- and alcohol-free. Obey speed limits. For more information on the Highway Safety Challenge and things you can do to avoid becoming Virginia’s next traffic fatality, visit www.safeVAhighways.org.

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.