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:
- UNEVEN PAVEMENT: Drivers may experience some uneven pavement and/or rough surface throughout the project.
- TRAFFIC SHIFT ON EXIT 140: Drivers may experience periodic lane closures, nwrrow ramp or quick merges into traffic onto Thompson Memorial Drive from the southbound or northbound exit ramps of exit 140 off of I-81. Work zone located at bottom of the ramp for work on the I-81 bridge at the underpass.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
I-81 NB & SB DECK OVERLAY AT PEAK CREEK MILE MARKER 95.7 – Repair work is underway 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.
- Alternating nighttime northbound and southbound left and right lane closures may be in place from mile marker 96 to 94 during the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 a.m.
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.
- RAMP CLOSURE EXIT 105 RAMP: Weather permitting, the I-81 northbound on and off ramp at Exit 105 to and from Route 232 will be closed Thursday Night, October 31 and Friday Night, November 1 between t:he hours of 9pm and 5am and Sunday night, November 3 at 9pm through Monday morning, November 4 at 5am.
- LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime alternating left and right lane closures are possible on I-81 northbound or southbound between mile markers 104-106 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
- 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.
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 PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, beginning August 18, crews will perform paving and patching operations. Lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound, Sunday through Thursday, during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
ROANOKE COUNTY
ROUTE 607 CLOSURE FOR BRIDGE WORK – Beginning Monday, October 7 at 9 a.m., a portion of Route 602 (Bottom Creek Road) will be closed for bridge work over Mill Creek. The bridge is located .03 mile from Route 744 and 1.67 miles from Route 669. During this time, drivers will need to seek alternate routes. Weather permitting, the road will re-open to traffic in the late evening on Friday, October 25, 2024. Flagging operations will be in place after the road re-opens to complete the rest of the work.
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. Bridge beams were placed across Route 311 on the new bridge on June 11. Flagging operations will be in place daily from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Occasional slow rolls during nighttime hours are possible. 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. Expected completion by end of 2024.
ROUTE 607 CLOSURE FOR BRIDGE WORK – Beginning Wednesday, November 6 at 9 a.m., a portion of Route 602 (Bottom Creek Road) will be closed for bridge work over Mill Creek. The bridge is located .03 mile from Route 744 and 1.67 miles from Route 669. During this time, drivers will need to seek alternate routes. Weather permitting, the road will re-open to traffic in the late evening on Friday, November 22, 2024. Flagging operations will be in place after the road re-opens to complete the rest of the work.
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.
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 January 2025.
BRUSH CUTTING AND STABILIZATION WORK TO RESUME ALONG OLD RAILBED IN BOTETOURT AND CRAIG COUNTIES – Residents along the former Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Craig Valley Branch railbed in Botetourt and Craig counties may notice maintenance work continuing on the old railbed starting in mid-November. In spring 2024, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) began clearing brush and stabilizing the former railbed. These activities are intended to prevent additional deterioration and to help designers who are developing plans for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail.
VDOT continues to collect data and conduct site visits and field reviews on the railbed. The cost estimate for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail is still being refined and a specific schedule for construction has yet to be determined.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board in September 2022 authorized up to $1 million to support preconstruction planning activities for the trail and allocated $12.5 million to the trail project in December 2023 and an additional $6 million in July 2024.
VDOT plans to hold public hearings on the project in 2025. The hearing dates have not yet been announced.
CRAIG COUNTY
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 January 2025.
