VDOT Roadwatch

Interstate 81

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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.

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. 

 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.

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.  

o There will be nightly closures between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. beginning Monday,  April 29 through the morning of Friday, May 5.  

o There will be lane closures from Sunday, May 5 and 26 at 9 p.m. through  Saturday, May 4 at 7 a.m. 

o There will be alternating lane closures from Sunday, May 5 and 26 at 8 p.m.  through Monday, May 6 at 6 a.m. 

o 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.  

o 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. 

I-81 NB & SB DECK OVERLAY AT PEAK CREEK MILE MARKER 95.7 –On May 5, 2024, repair work will begin 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.

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 alternating right and left lane closures on I-81northbound between mile marker 104-106 on Sunday, April 28, 8 p.m. through 5 a.m. the following morning.
• There will be nightly closures between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. beginning Monday, April 29 through the morning of Friday, May 5.
• There will be lane closures from Friday, May 3 and 26 at 9 p.m. through Saturday, May 4 at 7 a.m.
• 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.

LANE CLOSURES:  Nighttime alternating lane closures are possible on I-81 northbound between mile markers 104-106 from 7 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.

Roanoke County

SIDEWALK PROJECT ON SOUTHBOUND WILLIAMSON ROAD IN HOLLINS AREA – Work is underway 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. . 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

• On Tuesday, May 14, weather permitting, drivers should expect extended flagging  operations until 6 p.m. on Route 311. 

 STARKEY ROAD AND BUCK MOUNTAIN ROAD ROUNDABOUT – A road project to construct a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of Route 904 (Starkey Road) and Route 679 (Buck Mountain Road) is in progress. The new roundabout is now open to traffic and drivers should be aware of the new roundabout configuration. There will be occasional flagging operations in place between the 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the intersection of Starkey Road and Buck Mountain Road, drivers should still expect lane closures with flaggers controlling traffic for final paving, additional concrete pouring and pavement marking until the project is finished. Final completion is expected in late spring 2024.

  LANE CLOSURES WITH FLAGGING OPERATIONS: Lane closure times of 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. have resumed due to school now being in session.  

  ROUNDABOUT: The roundabout configuration has been set up. This means drivers should continue around the circle without turning left and that drivers in the circle have the right of way.

  BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSURES IN ROANOKE AREA – Blue Ridge Parkway will be repairing slope failures and road closures with 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 June 2024.

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 June 2024.

Montgomery County

ROUTE 660 CLOSED TO THROUGH TRAFFIC – On Monday, May 6 at  7 a.m., Route 660 (Crab Creek Road) will be closed to through traffic for a maintenance project.  The road will be closed between the addresses of 2488 and 2557 Crab Creek Road. The water  treatment facility will remain accessible from Route 659 (Vickers’ Switch Road). The road is  currently scheduled to reopen on Friday, May 17 at 3 p.m. 

 WATERLINE PROJECT TO IMPACT TRAFFIC – Intermittent lane closures are in place on Route 658 (Meadow Creek Road), Route 693 (Childress Road) between Meadow Creek Road and Route 8 (Riner Road) between Meadow Creek Road and Route 1097 (Turnberry Lane) for a water line infrastructure project. Expected completion in late 2024.

 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.