VDOT News - Salem

RELEASE:

CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE

Jen Ward 540-387-5238
Jen.Ward@vdot.virginia.gov

SAL 41

Oct. 27, 2023

ROADWATCH: October 27 – November 3, 2023

The following is a list of forecasted highway projects that may impact traffic traveling in the 12-county Salem Transportation District this week. Work schedules and construction project timelines are always subject to change and weather dependent. New information is noted by "NEW" and updates are noted when a current project has had an update added to the listing. The Salem District covers Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski and Roanoke.

TRAFFIC ALERTS:

511: For the most current traffic and road work information, call 511, download the 511 App or visit 511virginia.org.
TWITTER: You can also follow 5.11 Twitter feeds for the southwest area of Virginia at @511southwestva or follow @VaDOTSalem on Twitter.
FACEBOOK: Join our Facebook community group page at facebook.com/groups/VDOTSalem for traffic and general information on projects in the Salem District area.
On the 511 website, drivers can also sign up to receive personalized traffic alerts, view traffic cameras or download the free Android or iPhone mobile app.

ROAD MAINTENANCE: VDOT performs the following activities as part of routine maintenance on roadways throughout the district. To submit a work order request for road repairs or assistance, contact our customer service center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or submit online at www.virginiadot.org.

PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
SURFACE TREATMENT OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will begin surface treatment operations on various routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays. The road surface may be rough for a several weeks after surface treatment is applied. Once it packs down, the road surface will be brushed and return to a more smooth surface.
PAVEMENT MARKINGS – Pavement marking operations will be performed district wide, in various counties on secondary routes. These will be mobile operations with lane closures, as they proceed through each county. Motorists should use caution and follow mobile signs for direction.
DITCHING, GRADING, SLOPE AND SHOULDER REPAIRS – Lane closures may be in place during daylight hours for shoulder repairs. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
PIPE REPLACEMENTS – Crews will be working on various secondary roads to replace pipes under the roadway with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE – Crews will be working on various secondary roads where drainage issues are present with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
MOWING, TREE TRIMMING AND BRUSH REMOVAL (VARIOUS ROUTES) – Crews will mow on secondary routes during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for lane and/or shoulder closures.
UNPAVED ROAD MAINTENANCE – Crews will be working on various secondary non-hard surface roads grading and replacing stone with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
GUARDRAIL REPAIRS - Lane closures may be in place for guardrail repairs at various locations. Work will be performed during daytime hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

PAVING INFORMATION: VDOT now offers coverage of tracking paving progress statewide, which allows community members and stakeholders to view specific locations slated for paving and individual details of each project. Paving season typically extends from April to November and the map is updated weekly to detail exactly where paving projects are planned, ongoing and show how they’re to give residents and travelers a tool to use to best plan for travel and stay safe near these work zones. Drivers can get specific information about the status of paving projects at the Virginia Roads Paving Map or www.virginiaroads.org.

INTERSTATE 81

(UPDATED 9-29-23) * I-81 & ROUTE 11 BORING SCHEDULED - Mountain Valley Pipeline is expected to perform boring is tentatively scheduled across I-81 near MM 130.11 between October 26 and November 17.

(UPDATED 10-27-23) * INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXIT 137 TO EXIT 141 – A $179 million design-build project to widen both directions of I-81 between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 from two to three lanes is set to begin. Work is underway along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. Barrier wall has been installed along the shoulders. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction will remain open during the project with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed. Drivers can expect the following lane closures and upcoming impacts on northbound and southbound I-81:

ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC IMPACTS:

TRAFFIC SHIFTS ON WILDWOOD ROAD: Expect a work zone with traffic shifts and narrow width on Wildwood road after exiting I-81 southbound heading towards Salem. Southbound and northbound I-81 exit and entrance ramp narrows possible at Route 311.
WORK ZONE SPEED: Drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work zone and allow space when following a vehicle. Narrow spacing in lanes due to barrier walls, lack of shoulders and lane shifts in various locations, are present.
RAMP CLOSURES: Ramp closures are possible during nighttime hours, 12 a.m., to 5 a.m. Drivers should watch for message boards dates and times the ramp will be closed.
LANE CLOSURES: Alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, are possible. Lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet. Nightly lane closures may be in place along the right lane with possible nightly ramp narrows as needed for guardrail and shoulder strengthening.

The project also includes replacing six bridges, widening two bridges, installing approximately 2.6 miles of sound barrier walls along northbound I-81, improving the southbound exit 137 off-ramp intersection at Wildwood Road and adding interchange lighting at exits 137, 140 and 141 are also included in the project. Expected completion in early 2026.

(UPDATED 10-27-23) * I-81 NORTHBOUND AT EXIT 105 NEW RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Traffic on northbound I-81 has been switched onto the newly constructed bridge over the New River at the Montgomery/Pulaski County line. The old bridge is being demolished. Lane and shoulder closures may be in place near exit 105. Lane closure may be in effect during the week from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. Shoulder closures may be in effect at any time during the week. Slow rolls may be performed on I-81 in the north and southbound lanes from mile marker 98 to 109. Speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone. Shoulder closures will remain in place though the duration of the project. Project completion is estimated for Summer 2024.

SLOW ROLLS: A slow roll operation may be in place daily, Monday through Friday, between mile marker 101 and 105 northbound and between mile marker 109 and 105 southbound, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Slow rolls may be utilized periodically on both the northbound and southbound lanes from mile marker 98-109 for structural steel deliveries and setting beams.
LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime alternating lane closures will be in place on I-81 northbound between mile markers 104-106 from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
ROUTE 605: Alternating lane closures and flagging operations will be present on Route 605, located under the New River Bridge, for work overhead on the bridge.

(UPDATED 10-20-23) * I-81 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will be performing paving operations along Interstate 81. Right and left lane closures may be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Drivers should watch for moving vehicles and equipment. Expect possible delays.

(UPDATED 10-20-23) * I-81 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81. Between mile markers 170 to 89, right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

INTERSTATE 581

* I-581/220 EXPRESSWAY PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes. Lane closures may be in place during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

* I-581/220 LANE & RAMP CLOSURES FOR PAVING AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS IN ROANOKE COUNTY– Weather permitting, crews will be milling and paving along Interstate 81. Right and left lane closures will be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours. Drivers should expect possible delays.

INTERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)

(UPDATED 9-22-23) * I-77 PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will be performing paving operations along Interstate 77 between mile marker 24 and 0. Right and left lane closures may be in place along northbound and southbound lanes during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. Drivers should watch for moving vehicles and equipment. Expect possible delays.

(UPDATED 9-8-23) * I-77 MILLING AND PAVING – Milling and paving operations will also be in place on I-77 southbound between mile marker 8.8 to 6.9 and the acceleration lane onto I-77 at exit 8. This work will also include milling and paving the acceleration lane onto I-77 at Exit 8. Work will be performed during nighttime hours, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning, Sunday through Thursday.

ROANOKE CITY

(UPDATED 10-20-23) * 13^th STREET SE IMPROVEMENTS – A project to improve a portion of 13^th Street SE in Roanoke is nearing completion. Once complete, a new roadway will extend 13^th Street to Norfolk Avenue and the intersection at 13^th Street and Wise Avenue will be reconfigured to include a roundabout. Bike lanes, sidewalks, crosswalks and curb and gutter have been added. Minimal traffic impacts at this time. The project is expected to be completed in late fall 2023.

ROANOKE COUNTY

(UPDATED 10-27-22) * SIDEWALK PROJECT ON SOUTHBOUND WILLIAMSON ROAD IN HOLLINS AREA - On weekdays starting the week of October 9, work on a project to construct new sidewalk along the section of southbound Route 11 (Williamson Road) between Plantation Road and Peters Creek Road may cause lane closures. Drivers in the Hollins area can expect periodic right lane closures on southbound Williamson Road between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. As work progresses, occasional nighttime lane closures also will be scheduled. The sidewalk project is expected to be completed in summer 2024.

(UPDATED 10-27-22) * STARKEY ROAD AND BUCK MOUNTAIN ROAD ROUNDABOUT – A road project to construct a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Route 904 (Starkey Road) and Route 679 (Buck Mountain Road) is underway. The new roundabout is now open to traffic and drivers should be aware of the new roundabout configuration. There will be occasional flagging operations in place between the 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the intersection of Starkey Road and Buck Mountain Road, drivers should still expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic for final paving, additional concrete pouring and pavement marking until the project is finished. Final completion is expected in late spring 2024.

LANE CLOSURES WITH FLAGGING OPERATIONS: Lane closure times of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. have resumed due to school now being in session.
ROUNDABOUT: The roundabout configuration has been set up. This means drivers should continue around the circle without turning left and that drivers in the circle have the right of way.

(UPDATED 10-20-23) * BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSURES IN ROANOKE AREA - Blue Ridge Parkway will be repairing slope failures and road closures with detours may be in place. Visit their website at www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm for more information.

(UPDATED 8-25-23) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE - Mountain Valley Pipeline is expected to begin full construction again by mid-July. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the remainder of the project (with a tentative completion date of February 2024) to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is February 2024.

(UPDATED 10-6-23) * PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight or nighttime hours. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

BEDFORD COUNTY

(UPDATED 9-29-23) * ROUTE 666 CLOSED FOR BRIDGE REPAIRS - Beginning immediately, Thursday, August 10, a portion of Route 666 (Elkton Farm Road) will be closed for bridge repairs over the Norfolk Southern Railroad near the intersection of Route 666 and Elkton Farm Road. The road is expected to be closed for approximately 30 days. During this time, drivers will need to seek alternate routes or use the detour as pictured below to travel around or on either side of the closure. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be completed by November 17, 2023.

(UPDATED 10-13-23) * ROUTE 619 PIPE REPLACEMENT – Effective Monday, October 23, a section of Route 619 (Pendleton Road) will be closed for pipe replacement activities. The closure is located 1.50 miles east of Route 726, (Quarterwood Road) and 0.60 miles west of Route 691 (Quarles Road). Work is scheduled for completion by approximately Friday, November 3, 2023.

(UPDATED 9-8-23) * ROUTE 608 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Work began on September 8, 2022 for a bridge replacement on Route 608. The bridge is located 0.20 mile south from Route 793 (Watson Road) to 2.30 miles north from Route 122 (Moneta Road). The road is closed and a detour is in place. The road is scheduled to reopen in late fall 2023.

(UPDATED 10-20-23) * ROUTE 221 PEDESTRIAN SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS – On March 6, safety improvements began for a sidewalk placement with right turn lane closure at Route 221 north from Graves Mill Road to Forest Dale Drive with traffic restrictions from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expected completion is November 2023.

(UPDATED 8-25-23) * PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight or nighttime hours. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

(NEW 10-13-23) * ROUTE 650 CLOSURE FOR PIPE REPLACEMENT - Route 650 (Lugar Lane) in the Fincastle area will be closed at house number 822 for a pipe replacement beginning Monday, October 30 at 9 a.m. and reopening by the end of the day on Thursday, November 2. Message boards will alert drivers.

(UPDATED 10-13-23) * DALEVILLE INTERSECTION PROJECT FOR FIELDSTONE DEVELOPMENT ACCESS – Lane closures northbound and southbound on Route 220 in Daleville will be in place for construction of a median with crossover, a right turn lane and a new traffic signal. The speed limit in this area has been permanently reduced to 45mph. This work is associated with construction of the Fieldstone Development through a permit. Drivers may see the new signal arm and additional signage being added. There is no estimated time for when these will become active as work continues. Lane closures will be set up on various days and noise disturbances may be in place through October 2023.

CARROLL COUNTY

CRAIG COUNTY

(UPDATED 8-25-23) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE - Mountain Valley Pipeline is expected to begin full construction again. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the remainder of the project (with a tentative completion date of February 2024) to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is February 2024.

FLOYD COUNTY

(UPDATED 10-27-23) * SAFE STREET HALLOWEEN – The 2023 Safe Street Halloween (East Oxford 200-300 block) will be held on October 31 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will be one way traffic starting on Route 8 on the side of E. Oxford Street and continuing to Route 221 on the side of E. Oxford Street.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

(NEW 10-27-23) * ROUTE 840 PIPE REPLACEMENT - Effective Monday, November 13, 2023, a section of Route 840 (Dove Road) will be closed for a pipe replacement. The closure is located 0.26 mile east of Route 834 (Brooks Mill Road) and 0.71 miles west of Route 662 (Old Salem School Road). Work is scheduled for completion by approximately 5 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2023.

(UPDATED 10-20-23) * PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various secondary routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight or nighttime hours. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays with flagging or pilot car operations.

GILES COUNTY

(UPDATED 10-6-23) * PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various secondary routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight or nighttime hours. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays with flagging or pilot car operations.

HENRY COUNTY

(UPDATED 10-20-22) * ROUTE 220 BUSINESS BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER REED CREEK – The Route 220 Business bridge replacement over Reed Creek is underway. It is located on Route 220 Business over Reed Creek approximately 0.4 miles east of the Route 220 and Route 220 Business intersection. The bridge work will require the northbound bridge being restricted to one lane of travel across the bridge throughout the duration of the project. Traffic has been switched to the new lane with traffic using one lane to travel in both directions. The bridge will have a width restriction in place of 13’ 6” and lane closures will be in place. Message boards will be in place to alert drivers. Expected completion date is late summer 2024.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

(NEW 9-22-23) * ROUTE 616 CLOSURE FOR BRIDGE WORK - Effective Saturday, October 16 at 9 a.m., Route 616 (Dobbins Hollow Road) will be closed for 15 business days for bridge work over Brush Creek, weather permitting. The closure is located 0.7 mile from Route 601 and 1.80 miles from Route 617. Flagging operations will be in place. Drivers will need to seek alternate routes. Work is scheduled for completion by late evening on Tuesday, November 3.

(UPDATED 9-8-23) * WATERLINE PROJECT TO IMPACT TRAFFIC - Beginning Monday, August 14, intermittent lane closures may be in place on Route 658 (Meadow Creek Road), Route 693 (Childress Road) between Meadow Creek Road and Route 8 (Riner Road) between Meadow Creek Road and Route 1097 (Turnberry Lane) for a water line infrastructure project. Expected completion in late 2024.

(UPDATED 9-29-23) * ROUTE 11 & I-81 BORING SCHEDULED - Mountain Valley Pipeline is expected to perform boring across I-81 near MM 130.11 between October 26 and November 17.

(UPDATED 10-27-23) * ROUTE 813 BRIDGE REPAIRS –Work to repair the bridge on Route 813 (Stones Keep Lane) that crosses over the Roanoke River is nearing completion. The bridge is located approximately .13 mile east from the intersection of Route 813 and Route 460E/11N. Drivers may experience daytime alternating single lane closures across the bridge with flagging operations in place. Expected completion is November 2023.

(UPDATED 10-6-23) * PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various secondary routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight or nighttime hours. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays with flagging or pilot car operations.

PATRICK COUNTY

(UPDATED 10-6-23) * PAVING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight or nighttime hours. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

(UPDATED 10-13-23) * ROUTE 58 LOVER’S LEAP PROJECT – Construction is underway on Lover’s Leap area of Route 58. Current work includes clearing and grading activities on the west and east portions of the project. A 45-mph speed reduction is in place on Route 58 for the entire length of the project. Drivers should expect flagging operations during day and nighttime hours. Message boards are in place to alert traffic and drivers should expect delays. Estimated completion date is Summer 2026.

TRUCK ESCAPE RAMP CLOSURE: The escape ramp located 2.9 miles east of the Lovers Leap Overlook/Fred Clifton Park and 1.1 miles east of Dehart Botanical Gardens has been permanently closed. Please be aware of brake check points along Route 58 and check your brakes frequently. A brake check point is located 0.6 miles east of Route 610 (Cloudbreak Road) near Poor Farmer’s Farm. All trucks MUST check their brakes prior to traveling down the mountain.
BLASTING NOTICE: Blasting operations are underway on the project. Intermittent blasting will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays and continue at various locations on the project through summer 2025. For blasting that is close to Route 58, traffic in both directions may be blocked for approximately 15-20 minutes at a time. Drive and residents along the Route 58 corridor should expect loud noise and allow extra travel time. Electronic message boards will be used to inform drivers of scheduled blasting that will impact traffic.
DETOUR SIGNS: While detour signs in a fluorescent pink color are in place, these do not designate a permanent or scheduled detour. The signed detour route is suitable for all traffic during incidents including tractor-trailers and other large vehicles. These signs are used for incident detours only.

PULASKI COUNTY

(UPDATED 9-1-23) * OLD ROUTE 100 DRAINAGE REPAIR – Old Route 100 (F-047) is open to two-way traffic. Emergency drainage repairs are ongoing so drivers may see work still underway. The extensive repairs have no estimated time for completion. Limited impacts to traffic but periodic delays are possible.

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.

Page last modified: Oct. 27, 2023