INTERSTATE 81
(NEW Sept. 19) Interstate 81 bridge work at Exit 156 in Botetourt County – Bridge work is underway on northbound and southbound I-81 at Exit 156. Milling and paving the bridge deck will take place in both directions, beginning with the northbound side before moving to the southbound side. Drivers can expect lane closures on I-81 during nighttime hours. Slow-roll operations are expected periodically, and flagging operations will be used during barrier wall placement on Route 640 (Brighs Mill Road). Expected completion is fall 2026.
(UPDATED Sept. 19) 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 I-81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. Barrier wall is in place along the shoulders. Two lanes of 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.
Drivers can expect the following traffic impacts on northbound and southbound I-81:
- Lane closures: Alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours, 8 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. Lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet. Nightly lane closures may be in place along the right lane with possible ramp narrows as needed for guardrail and shoulder strengthening.
- Ramp closures: Exit 140 on- and off-ramps onto southbound I-81 in Salem may be closed. Watch message boards for updates.
- Flagging operations: Flagging operations possible on Route 635 and Route 619.
- Uneven pavement: Drivers may experience uneven pavement or rough surface conditions throughout the project.
- Traffic shifts: Drivers may encounter periodic lane closures, narrow ramps or quick merges onto Thompson Memorial Drive from the exit 140 ramps. Work is also underway on the I-81 bridge at the underpass.
- Wildwood Road: Expect a work zone with traffic shifts and narrow lanes after exiting I-81 southbound at exit 137 toward Salem. Ramp narrows are possible at Route 311.
- Work zone speed: Speed limit is reduced to 60 mph. Narrow spacing, barrier walls, lack of shoulders and lane shifts are present in various locations.
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 is early 2026.
(UPDATED Sept. 19) Interstate 81 widening from mile marker 143 to 151 – Widening is underway with survey and preparation work. Shoulder strengthening will require northbound and southbound lane closures during nighttime hours. Barrier wall installation is possible in late fall or early winter. Expected completion is summer 2031.
- Lane closures: Periodic right and left lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Nighttime right lane and shoulder closures are being scheduled.
- Work zone speed: Speed limit is reduced to 60 mph. Drivers should allow space when following a vehicle.
- Belle Haven Road: Periodic daytime flagging operations may be in place.
- Ramps: Ramps on I-81 northbound and southbound may be narrowed at exits 150, 146 and 143.
- Detour signs: Detour signs on I-81 and surrounding routes such as Route 11 and Plantation Road are for incident detours only, including tractor-trailers and other large vehicles.
(UPDATED Sept. 19) I-81 northbound and southbound 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. The work will require nighttime single-lane closures.
Lane closures may occur nightly from Sunday night through Friday morning between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. For deck overlay work, closures may be in place between Sunday nights and Friday mornings:
- Southbound lanes: 7 p.m. to 10 a.m.
- Northbound lanes: 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.
Alternating 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. to 6 a.m. while other work continues. Estimated completion is summer 2025.
(UPDATED Sept. 12) 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 closures: Nighttime right and 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.
- Route 605: Alternating lane closures and flagging operations may be in place under the New River Bridge for paving and overhead bridge work.
- Slow rolls: Periodically used on northbound and southbound I-81 between mile markers 98 and 109 for steel deliveries and setting beams.
The speed limit is reduced to 60 mph. Shoulder closures will remain in place for the duration of the project.
(UPDATED Aug. 15) I-81 bridge deck repairs – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on I-81 between mile markers 170 and 89. Right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Botetourt County: Deck patching repairs are underway on I-81 northbound and southbound with right and left lane closures between mile markers 160 and 164 during nighttime hours, 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.
INTERSTATE 581
(UPDATED May 16) I-581 patching operations – Weather permitting, crews are performing 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. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
ROANOKE CITY
(UPDATED Sept. 12) Orange Avenue off-ramp safety improvements – Drivers can expect shoulder closures, narrow ramps and lane closures eastbound and westbound on Route 460 (Orange Avenue) from Burrell Street Northwest and Gainsboro Road Northwest to the intersection of Williamson Road Northeast and on the off-ramp from I-581. Shoulder closures are expected with nighttime right and left lane closures. Delays are possible.
ROANOKE COUNTY
(UPDATED Sept. 19) 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 include 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 include Ogden Road, Elm View Road and South Peak Boulevard. Multiple activities are scheduled, and completion at different locations will take place throughout the life of the project. Expected completion is fall 2028.
- Ramp closure: On Monday, Sept. 8, during nighttime hours, the ramp from Route 419 westbound to I-581 northbound will be closed beginning at 11 p.m. until 4 a.m. the following morning. Drivers using westbound Route 419 will follow a temporary detour on the frontage road. Signs will direct traffic.
(UPDATED Sept. 12) Route 220 at Crossbow Circle & Pheasant Ridge Road intersection improvements – Construction activities are underway, starting with removing the existing curb along the outer perimeters followed by removal of concrete medians. Drivers should use caution in the area and watch for work zones and message boards providing updated information.
(UPDATED Sept. 12) Route 220 at Southern Hills & Valley Avenue intersection improvements – Construction activities are underway with nighttime lane closures in place from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m., Sunday night through Friday morning. Shoulder closures are possible during daytime hours.
- Traffic pattern: A new traffic pattern with a signal is in place at Route 220 and Southern Hills Drive/Valley Avenue. Instead of driving straight across Route 220, drivers on Southern Hills Drive/Valley Avenue now must turn left or right and then make a U-turn.
- Paving: Final paving and pavement markings are scheduled to begin Sunday, Sept. 7, weather permitting.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
(UPDATED Aug. 8) Route 621 (Roaring Run Road) reduced to one lane for culvert replacement – Work is underway for a culvert replacement in the vicinity of 618 Roaring Run Road. As of July 15, Route 621 is reduced to one lane of traffic controlled by a temporary signal that will alternate traffic through the work zone until the project is completed. Delays are possible. Expected completion is fall 2025.
(UPDATED July 18) Hunter’s Green paving reconstruction operation – Beginning July 7, the state routes within Hunter’s Green subdivision are being reconstructed. Drivers may experience delays and rough road surfaces resembling gravel during this process. Once the surface treatment is applied, it will not be the final riding surface and may continue to feel rough for four to six weeks until the routes are paved with asphalt concrete pavement.
(UPDATED July 18) Route 622 extended closure – A section of Route 622 (Dagger Springs Road) in the Eagle Rock area is closed for approximately four months. The closure begins one mile north of Route 612 (Blue Grass Trail) and extends about 1.2 miles to Tate Road. Drivers should follow detour signs. Work includes drainage improvements, culvert replacements and major slope work. Expected completion is August or September 2025.
(UPDATED July 18) Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail brush cutting and stabilization work – Residents along the former Chesapeake and Ohio Craig Valley Branch railbed in Botetourt and Craig counties may notice maintenance work continuing on the old railbed. These activities are intended to prevent deterioration and to help designers developing plans for the Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail. VDOT continues to collect data and conduct site visits. A specific construction schedule has not yet been determined.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
(UPDATED Sept. 12) Route 8 park and ride project – Work is underway to build a park and ride lot on Route 8 near the entrance/exit to I-81 at mile marker 114. This project will include a parking structure, bus shelter, and road and pedestrian improvements for adjoining streets.
Traffic impacts will include alternating lane closures on Route 8 between Mud Pike Road and the entrance/exit ramps for I-81 at mile marker 114, along with shoulder and single-lane closures with flagging operations on Route 666 (Mud Pike Road) at the intersection with Moose Drive and between Mud Pike Road and College Street except during peak hours, Monday through Friday. Expected completion is winter 2027.
- Traffic shift: Traffic shifts may be in place on Route 666 (Mud Pike Road). Drivers should use caution.
- Lane closures: Temporary lane closures may be in place at the following locations:
- Eastbound lane and turn lane on Mud Pike Road.
- Northbound right turn lane at the Route 8 traffic light.
- Right turn lane from Moose Drive onto Route 8.
- Right turn lane from Route 8 into the service station.
