INTERSTATE 81
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:
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. 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 WIDENING FROM MILE MARKER 143 TO 151 – The I-81 widening project is underway with survey and preparation work. The expected completion for this project is summer 2031.
Belle Haven Road – Drivers may see periodic daytime flagging operations in place.
RAMPS – Ramps on I-81, northbound and southbound, may be narrowed at exit 150, 146 and 143.
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 Summer 2025.
- Deck work postponed due to cold weather.
- Alternating nighttime northbound and southbound left and right lane closures may or may not be in place from mile marker 96 to 94 during the hours of 8 p.m. and 9 a.m. while other work on the project continues.
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. Completion currently expected in fall 2025.
- LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime left lane closures may be in place on I-81 northbound or southbound between mile marker 106 and 104 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.
INTERSTATE 77 (CARROLL COUNTY)
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.
- Bridge deck overlays on I-77 from 8.78 miles north of the North Carolina line to 6.24 miles south of the intersection with Route 58 are underway. Lane closures will be in place underneath the bridge on Route 148. Expected completion date is scheduled for Fall 2025.
ROANOKE CITY
ORANGE AVENUE OFF RAMP SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS – Drivers can expect should closures and nighttime lane closures in the vicinity of the Orange Avenue off ramp on I-581 starting after the intersection of Burrell Street northwest and Gainsboro Road northwest and ending at the intersection of Williamson Road northeast. Shoulder closures expected on Route 460 eastbound with right lane closures in place during nighttime hours. Delays are possible.
ROANOKE COUNTY
ROUTE 622 (BRADSHAW ROAD) CULVERT REPLACEMENT – On April 21, work began on a culvert replacement over Mason Creek on Route 622 (Bradshaw Road). The culvert is located about 6.8 miles from Route 311. A temporary signal will be installed starting Monday, April 28. The temporary signal will remain in place to control
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traffic around the clock to allow drivers to alternate using one open lane during the culvert replacement until sometime in August 2025. Drivers should expect delays in the area or seek alternate routes. Electronic message boards will be posted to alert motorists to the upcoming roadwork and traffic impacts.
ROUTE 220/ROUTE 419 DIVERGING DIAMOND INTERCHANGE – The Route 220/Route 419 interchange project is underway. It will be reconfigured with a diverging diamond concept and multiple intersections on both Route 220 and Route 419 will be modified to enhance signal timing and reduce congestion. The intersections on Route 220 are at Valley Avenue/Southern Hills Drive, Crossbow Circle/Pheasant Ridge Road, Buck Mountain Road/Stable Road and Indian Grave Road/Clearbrook Village Lane. The intersections on Route 419 are at Ogden Road, Elm View Road and South Peak Boulevard. With multiple activities scheduled, completion at different locations will take place throughout the life of the project. Expected completion is fall 2028.
ROUTE 220 AT SOUTHERN HILLS & VALLEY AVENUE INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS – As of April 21, construction activities for this project are underway starting with lane closures during nighttime hours from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next morning, Sunday night through Friday morning. Shoulder closures possible during daytime hours.
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.
BEDFORD COUNTY
(NEW 5-2-25) ROUTE 666 BRIDE REPAIRS OVER ELK CREEK – Route 666 bridge repair over Elk Creek is underway. The bridge is located 1.8 mile miles east of Route 622 to l.60 mile west of Route 221. The road is scheduled to close in August 2025 with an estimated completion in summer 2026.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
in the Eagle Rock area of Botetourt County is closed for approximately four months. The closure starts a mile north of Route 612 (Blue Grass Trail) and extends about 1.2 miles to Tate Road. Drivers should follow detour signs. Work will include drainage improvements, culvert replacements and major slope work.
