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

DATE: TUESDAY, October 12, 1993                   TAG: 9310130308
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-4   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By RICK LINDQUIST STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Short

WORK STARTS ON TRAFFIC BOTTLENECK

Work will start this week to eliminate a traffic bottleneck on one of the area's most heavily traveled thoroughfares. Westbound U.S. 460 Business - also known in that area as North Franklin Street - will be widened to two lanes from Cambria Street to the western crossover at Palmer Street.

The project also will extend the right-turn lane from westbound U.S. 460 Business to the U.S. 460 Bypass.

Traffic disruptions in the busy intersections will be kept to a minimum, said Virginia Department of Transportation resident engineer Dan Brugh. He said work that might interfere with motorists will be done at night or on Sundays.

Brugh said he expects the project to be wrapped up by Thanksgiving.

When the project is completed, motorists heading toward Blacksburg from the U.S. 460 bypass will have to merge with the new two-lane highway. Brugh said the acceleration lane will be at least 600 feet.

Right now, traffic from the single bypass lane flows directly into the right lane of U.S. 460 Business.

Brugh also said repaving work is nearly complete on Interstate 81 near the New River bridge and Radford Exit 105.

The Virginia Department of Transportation urges motorists to use caution while traveling through the construction areas.

by CNB