ROADWATCH: May 17 – 24, 2024

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.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND: One of the busiest travel times of the year is coming up with the Memorial Day weekend, and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants to make your trip to the beach, mountains or beyond a safe one. VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting most lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Friday, May 24, until noon on Tuesday, May 28.

TRAFFIC ALERTS:

511: For the most current traffic and road work information, call 511, download the 511 App or visit www.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 www.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

(NEW 5-17-24) * NIGHTTIME LANE AND RAMP CLOSURE PLANNED ON SOUTHBOUND INTERSTATE 81 NEAR SALEM – As part of the Interstate 81 widening project in Roanoke County near Salem, a nighttime lane and ramp closure on southbound I-81 are scheduled for Thursday, May 23, so barrier wall can be repositioned, and traffic switched into a new pattern.

Weather permitting, starting at 11 p.m. on Thursday, May 23, southbound I-81 will be reduced to one lane between mile markers 138 and 136 until 5 a.m. on Friday, May 24. In addition, the ramp from southbound I-81 onto Wildwood Road at exit 137 also will be closed from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m.

If the traffic pattern change cannot be made because of weather, the lane and ramp closure will be rescheduled for the following week on Tuesday, May 28 from 11 p.m. until 5 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29. Once the barrier wall has been moved, southbound I-81 traffic using the exit 137 off ramp will be shifted into a new pattern and traveling on a different portion of roadway.

(UPDATED 5-17-24) * INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXIT 137 TO EXIT 141 – The $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 underway. Work is being performed along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. Barrier wall is in place along the shoulders. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction are expected to 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 traffic impacts in this area on northbound and southbound I-81:

ADDITIONAL TRAFFIC IMPACTS:

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.
TRAFFIC SHIFTS ON WILDWOOD ROAD: Expect a work zone with traffic shifts and narrow width on Wildwood Road after exiting I-81 southbound on exit 137 heading towards Salem. Southbound and northbound I-81 exit and entrance ramp narrows are possible at Route 311.
TRAFFIC SHIFT ON EXIT 140: Drivers may experience periodic lane closures that require a quick merge into traffic onto Thompson Memorial Drive from the southbound exit ramp of exit 140. Work zone located at bottom of the ramp for work on the I-81 bridge at the underpass.
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. Expected completion in early 2026.

(UPDATED 5-17-24) I-81 NB & SB BRIDGE REHAB OVER ROUTE 100 AT EXIT 98 – Work is underway on the I-81 rehabbing of the northbound and southbound bridges over Route 100 at Exit 98. Lane and shoulder closures may be in place on Route 100 north and on I-81 northbound and southbound, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Flagging operations may also be in place on Route 100 north for up to eight-minute slow rolls. Both northbound and southbound on and off ramps at exit 98 for I-81 traffic will remain fully operational for the duration of this project. Estimated completion date is summer 2024.

(UPDATED 5-17-24) I-81 NB & SB DECK OVERLAY AT PEAK CREEK MILE MARKER 95.7 – Repair work has begun on the northbound and southbound bridges on I-81 over Peak Creek near mile marker 95.7. This repair work will require nighttime single lane closures for the duration of the project. Lane closures may occur nightly from Sunday night through Friday mornings between the hours of 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. For the deck overlay process, lane closures may be in place between Sunday nights through Friday mornings. For the southbound lanes these will occur between the hours of 7pm and 10am, and for the northbound lanes between the hours of 6pm through 9am. Details on these closures will be listed below on a weekly basis. Estimated completion is scheduled for end of 2024.

(UPDATED 5-10-24) * 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. 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.

LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime alternating lane closures are possible on I-81 northbound between mile markers 104-106.
- There will be nightly closures between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. beginning Monday, May 6 through the morning of Saturday, May 11.
ROUTE 605: Alternating lane closures and flagging operations may be present on Route 605, located under the New River Bridge, for paving operations and work overhead on the bridge.
SLOW ROLLS: 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.
- Intermittent slow roll operations will be in place between mile marker 98 and 105 beginning Monday, April 29 through Saturday, May 4 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

(UPDATED 5-10-24) * 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
None to report.

INTERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)

(UPDATED 4-12-24) * I-77 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 77 between mile markers 14 to 12. Right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.

ROANOKE CITY

None to report.

ROANOKE COUNTY

(UPDATED 5-17-24) * SIDEWALK PROJECT ON SOUTHBOUND WILLIAMSON ROAD IN HOLLINS AREA – Work is nearing completion in the next few weeks on a project to construct new sidewalk along the section of southbound Route 11 (Williamson Road) between Plantation Road and Peters Creek Road. 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.

(NEW 5-10-24) * ROUTE 24 UTILITY WORK – There will be a temporary eastbound right lane closure on Route 24 from intersection of Maplewood Drive to the intersection of Lindenwood Drive to install a water line. Estimated completion is May 2024.

(UPDATED 5-10-24) * ROANOKE GAS UTILITY WORK – Roanoke Gas is renewing gas lines along Route 1306 (Bower Road) and Route 1371 (Hyde Park Drive). This utility work will be done under pavement and will require milling and pavement replacement in the affected lanes. Estimated completion is scheduled for the end of May 2024.

(UPDATED 5-10-24) * APPALACHIAN TRAIL BRIDGE OVER ROUTE 311 – A new pedestrian bridge is under construction over Route 311 at McAfee Knob trailhead. The trailhead parking lot is currently closed and will remain closed during construction. Flagging operations will be in place daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Occasional slow rolls during nighttime hours are possible to stop traffic for up to 15 minutes at a time for setting bridge beams. Alternate areas for parking and updates on the shuttle can be found by calling 540-387-5588 or visiting the shuttle website at www.roanokecountyva.gov/McAfeeShuttle.

(UPDATED 4-12-24) * BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSURES IN ROANOKE AREA – Blue Ridge Parkway may be repairing roads in our area that require road closures and flagging operations and detours may be in place. Visit their website at www.nps.gov/blri/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm for more information.

(UPDATED 4-12-24) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is June 2024.

BEDFORD COUNTY

(UPDATED 5-10-24) * ROUTE 635 RURAL RUSTIC RESURFACING – Construction is underway for a rural rustic resurfacing on Route 635 (Jeter’s Chapel Road) for approximately 1.62 miles. There will be flagging operations during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. throughout construction. Estimated completion for this project is scheduled for October 2024.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

(NEW 5-17-24) * ROUTE 220 AND INTERNATIONAL PARKWAY/ASHLEY WAY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS – Work has been rescheduled to begin on May 20, weather permitting, on a road construction project to improve traffic flow and safety by converting the intersection at Route 220 and Route 839/Route 1126 (International Parkway/Ashley Way) to a restricted crossing U-turn (RCUT). Construction is anticipated to be completed in summer 2025. Drivers can expect the following traffic pattern changes at the intersection of Route 220 and International Parkway/Ashley Way:

Northbound Route 220 approaching the intersection will be reduced to one lane. Drivers on northbound Route 220 will still be able to turn left onto International Parkway and right onto Ashley Way.
The crossover located 0.2 mile south of the intersection will be closed.
Vehicles from Ashley Way will use a single lane to go straight or to turn left or right onto Route 220.

Throughout the life of the project, drivers can expect lane closures on Route 220 and traffic pattern changes at the intersection. Starting in July, drivers who normally turn left from Ashley Way onto southbound Route 220 or turn left from International Parkway onto northbound Route 220 will have to turn right and proceed to make a U-turn using an available crossover. Estimaed completion is summer 2025.

CARROLL COUNTY

None at this time.

CRAIG COUNTY

FLOYD COUNTY

(NEW 5-10-24) * TWO ROUTE 799 CLOSURES FOR CULVERT REPLACEMENTS – Effective Monday, May 13, a section of Route 799 (Connors Grove Road SW) will be closed for a culvert replacement. The closure is located between Route 783 (Thistle Hill Road) and Route 727 (Moles Road SW). Estimated completion is by May 21, 2024.

Then, on Wednesday, May 22, another section of Route 799 (Connors Grove Road SW) will be closed for another culvert replacement. This closure is located between Route 727 (Union School Road) and Route 775 (Henry Lane). Estimated completion is by May 28, 2024.

FRANKLIN COUNTY
(NEW 5-17-24) * ROUTE 637 CLOSURE – Effective Tuesday, June 11, 2024, a section of Route 637 (Griffith Hill Road) will be closed for a slab installation. The closure is located 0.00 mile of Route 789 (Dry Hill Road) and 1.15 miles of Route 846 (Trigger Jim Road). Work is scheduled for completion by approximately Thursday, June 13, 2024.

(UPDATED 3-8-23) * MOUNTAIN VALLEY PIPELINE – The Mountain Valley Pipeline construction project is underway. Temporary intermittent flagging operations will be in place in the county throughout the project to load/unload equipment at crossings and construction entrances. Scheduled completion is June 2024.

GILES COUNTY
(NEW 5-10-24) * ROUTE 460 SLOW ROLLS FOR UTILITY WORK IN TOWN OF PEMBROKE – On May 20 and 21, </spa