SALEM – Weather permitting, starting Monday, May 18, work will begin on Route 220 in Franklin County at the intersection of Route 697 (Wirtz Road) and Virginia Market Place Drive to improve safety and traffic flow. Beginning June 1 at 7 p.m., motorists will use a new traffic pattern. Motorists who currently drive straight across Route 220 at this intersection will instead turn right or left onto Route 220 and make a U-turn at the next available median crossover or signal. Barrels will be placed as barriers to separate left and right turn movements until concrete islands are constructed. Motorists will still be able to access Wirtz Road and Virginia Market Place Drive from Route 220 by using existing turn lanes. Additionally, a new left turn lane and traffic signal will be constructed on northbound Route 220 to allow additional access to Virginia Market Place Drive at its northern entrance. Motorists exiting Virginia Market Place Drive at this northern entrance will only have the option to turn right onto southbound Route 220. Lane closures and flagging operations are possible between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Drivers should pay attention to signs and message boards in the area. Work is expected to be completed by June 30, weather permitting. These improvements are part of a larger project to increase efficiency and create shorter wait times at traffic signals along the Route 220 corridor in the City of Roanoke and the counties of Roanoke, Franklin and Henry. The resulting improvement in operations is similar to widening Route 220 from four lanes to six lanes, but at a fraction of the cost. Reducing stop and go traffic also enhances safety. Crashes may be reduced by approximately 15-20 percent.
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