
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, September 3, 1993                   TAG: 9309030229
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

An estimated 29.9 million Americans will squeeze in last summer vacations this weekend, according to the American Automobile Association. That estimate says 6 percent more will travel 100 miles or more from home by motor vehicle, up 6 percent from last year. If projections hold true, this weekend's traffic will be the heaviest in at least nine Labor Days.

Here are some events and roadblocks that state motorists should be cautious about, according to the Transportation Department:

\ WESTERN VIRGINIA

Interstate 81 and Interstate 77 - Construction continues on I-81 in Washington County and on I-77 in Bland and Wythe counties on ramps at several interchanges.

Interstate 77 - A paving project continues between exit 52 in Bland and the East River Mountain Tunnel at the West Virginia line, restricting traffic to one lane.

Interstate 77 tunnel - Renovation of the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel in Bland County restricts traffic to one lane during daylight.

U.S. 58 - Hillsville is expected to be severely congested Friday through Monday for the annual Labor Day Gun Show and Flea Market, which generally attracts about 300,000 people. Alternative routes will be marked with electronic message boards and other signs, and shuttle buses will be available from remote parking lots.

Interstate 81 - Virginia Tech's first home football game of the season will generate an estimated 35,000 vehicles in Blacksburg. Major roads and exits from I-81 are likely to be congested from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. \

TIDEWATER

Interstate 64 - Expect heavy traffic, especially around the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, and on Virginia 44, the Virginia Beach-Norfolk Expressway. Checkerboard signs along major highways advise motorists to take alternative routes, including I-664 and the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge Tunnel.

\ NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Interstate 66 and Interstate 95 - In Northern Virginia, high-occupancy- vehicle restrictions will be lifted along I-66, I-95 and Interstate 395 from noon Friday to noon Tuesday. Construction blocks a 19-mile stretch of I-95 between Springfield and Quantico in Fairfax County.

by CNB