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

DATE: SUNDAY, May 1, 1994                   TAG: 9405010032
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

The Tour du Pont bicycle race will affect traffic May 9, especially along routes 419 and 221. Call the Tour du Pont hot line, 981-0100, Ext. 8687, for details.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

Alternate U.S. 220: The final 1.8 miles are being expanded to a four-lane divided highway, ending at U.S. 460 in Roanoke County. Be alert for signs and flaggers. Temporary delays may occur. Work should be completed in spring 1995.

U.S. 220: A 1.4-mile section south of the new bridge near Iron Gate is under construction to eliminate a sharp curve. Work runs from 0.3 miles north of Virginia 696 to 0.2 miles south of the CSX Railroad tracks. Work should be completed in the fall.

Virginia 654 (Read Mountain Road): In the Cloverdale area, 1.8 miles are being widened from east of U.S. 11 to Alternate U.S. 220. Use caution and watch for signs and flaggers. Work will continue until spring 1995.

Virginia 605: In Cloverdale, about 1.4 miles are being rebuilt from Virginia 601 in Roanoke County to Virginia 654 in Botetourt County. A one-lane bridge will be replaced with a box culvert.

\ Virginia 642: Near Buchanan, 2.2 miles are being rebuilt from U.S. 11 to Virginia 638. Work will continue until late spring.

U.S. 11: The bridge at Buchanan over the James River and CSX Railroad is under repair with traffic reduced to one lane.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Virginia 220: The southbound bridges at the intersection of Virginia 40 near Rocky Mount are being repaired. Traffic is restricted to one lane. Vehicles wider than 8.5 feet are prohibited. Repairs should be completed July 1.

GILES COUNTY

U.S. 460: Both westbound lanes between Narrows and Rich Creek are closed for repair of a retaining wall. Traffic has been shifted into the eastbound lanes. Vehicles wider than 10 feet are prohibited. Work should be completed in a few months.

HENRY COUNTY

U.S. 58: The 3.3 miles from Horsepasture to Spencer are being widened to four lanes. Construction will continue through the fall.

VIRGINIA 220: The road is being resurfaced between Ridgeway and the Route 58 bypass. Motorists may experience delays.

VIRGINIA 57A and 682: The roads are being resurfaced near Bassett. Motorists may experience delays.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

U.S. 460: Crews will be working between the Blacksburg and Christiansburg bypasses during the day today and Monday-Wednesday nights. Motorists may experience delays.

I-81: The southbound lanes between mileposts 120-118 are being resurfaced. There will be temporary lane closures. MONTGOMERY/PULASKI COUNTY LINE

Virginia 232: The bridge over I-81 at exit 105 is closed for repairs. Northbound motorists cannot enter or exit I-81. Use exit 109 to Radford. Work will continue through the spring.

RADFORD

U.S. 11: The bridge between Radford and Fairlawn has been closed to all traffic during repairs. Work will be completed in about two weeks.

ROANOKE

Fifth Street: The Fifth Street bridge is closed due to continuing construction of a new bridge between Salem and Gilmer avenues. Work should be completed by the summer.

Wells Avenue: Demolition work along the north side between Williamson Road and Jefferson Street will cause delays. Work should be completed around June 1.

Wells Avenue: From Commonwealth Avenue to Jefferson Street, the road will be closed today or during this week for work on the roadway project. A detour will be set up between Wells and Shenandoah Avenues through the hotel parking lot for motorists and pedestrians. The closure will remain in effect until March 1995.