SALEM – Wet weather and unanticipated utility work have delayed the opening the Route 720 (Colonial Avenue) roundabout in Roanoke County until late September.  A portion of Colonial Avenue from Route 1693 (Vest Drive) to Route 1620 (Hazel Drive) has been closed since Thursday, June 18 for road improvements, including the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of Route 720 (Colonial Avenue) and Route 687 (Penn Forest Boulevard). 

This portion of Route 720 (Colonial Avenue) was scheduled to reopen on Thursday, Aug. 27. Wet weather and utility work caused unexpected delays in construction.  Route 720 is currently scheduled to reopen in late September.    

The roundabout is one portion of a road improvement project designed to improve traffic flow on Colonial Avenue.  The entire project is scheduled to be completed in August 2010.

The following detours will remain in place through late September:

From the intersection of Colonial Avenue and Route 419:

Drivers should follow Route 419 (Electric Road) north to Route 221 (Brambleton Avenue) to Colonial Avenue.

From the intersection of Colonial Avenue and Brambleton Avenue:

Drivers should follow Route 221 (Brambleton Avenue) to Route 419 (Electric Road) to Colonial Avenue.

From Route 687 (Penn Forest Boulevard):

Drivers should turn left onto Route 1648 (Topping Hill Road), then right onto Route 613 (Merriman Road) to Colonial Avenue.

Signs and electronic message boards will be posted to advise motorists of the detour. 

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