* 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:
- 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.
- LANE CLOSURES scheduled as follows:
- Tuesday, January 7 – Northbound left lane closure from mile marker 147.5-148.74.
- Wednesday, January 8 – Northbound right lane closure from mile marker 147.5-148.74.
- Thursday, January 9 – Northbound right and left lane closures from mile marker 147.5-148.74.
- FLAGGING OPERATIONS: Flagging operations possible on Route 635 and Route 619.
- UNEVEN PAVEMENT: Drivers may experience some uneven pavement and/or rough surface throughout the project.
- TRAFFIC SHIFTS: Drivers may experience periodic lane closures, narrow ramps 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.
- 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.
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 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.
- LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime left lane closures are scheduled Monday, January 6 through Wednesday, January 10, on I-81 northbound 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 IMPROVEMENTS FROM MILE MARKER 143 TO 151 – Periodic lane closures may be in place during nighttime hours 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., on northbound and southbound I-81 for survey and preparation work for an upcoming widening project along I-81.
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
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * 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.
TERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)
(UPDATED 12-20-24) * I-77 PAVING & PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will perform paving and patching operations on Interstate I-77. Right, left and center lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound, Monday through Friday, during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
I-77 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will perform paving operations on Interstate 77. 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.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
ROUTE 220 AND INTERNATIONAL PARKWAY/ASHLEY WAY INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS – Work is underway 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:
- TRAFFIC SWITCH:
- The left lane of southbound Route 220 is closed and will remain closed until later this year. In addition, northbound Route 220 traffic will remain reduced to one lane but will be shifted into the right lane. A 45 mph work zone speed limit will go into effect on southbound Route 220 and remain in effect on northbound Route 220.
- In addition, the traffic pattern changed on Ashley Way and International Parkway. Drivers will not be able to turn left from Ashley Way onto southbound Route 220 or turn left from International Parkway onto northbound Route 220. Motorists who normally turn left can turn right and proceed to make a U-turn on Route 220 using an available crossover.
- An alternative route is available for International Parkway traffic that normally turns left onto northbound Route 220. Those drivers can turn right on southbound Route 220, turn left onto Route 673 (Greenfield Street) and then turn left onto Route 670 (Trinity Road) to return to northbound Route 220.
- Drivers who use the Route 839 (International Parkway) and Route 220 intersection can expect changes on weekdays during daytime hours. The change will affect drivers who turn right from Route 220 southbound into International Parkway or turn right from International Parkway onto southbound Route 220.The dual right turn lanes that are currently in place may be reduced to a single lane between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on weekdays until late July. Drivers should expect possible delays and pay attention to traffic control devices.
- 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.
- Speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the work zone.
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. Estimated completion is summer 20251
CRAIG BOTETOURT SCENIC TRAIL BRUSH CUTTING AND STABILIZATION WORK – 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. 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. VDOT plans to hold public hearings on the project in 2025. The hearing dates have not yet been announced.
ROUTE 764 CLOSURE FOR BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Beginning January 27, Route 764 (Panther Creek Road) will be closed for a bridge replacement project over Greasy Creek. The bridge is located 2.8 miles from the Pulaski County line and 0.05 mile north of Route 765. A detour will be in place for the duration of the bridge replacement. The scheduled completion date is September 2025.
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.