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

DATE: SUNDAY, August 28, 1994                   TAG: 9408290055
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

ROADWATCH

BEDFORD COUNTY|

U.S. 221: In Forest from Graves Mill Road into Lynchburg, the road is being widened. Construction should be completed in late summer.

U.S. 501: The road is being widened in selected locations from the Georgia-Pacific plant to the Snowden Bridge over the James River in Amherst County. Construction is estimated to last into the fall.

Virginia 619: The pipe carrying Bore Auger Creek is being replaced with a bridge 0.6 miles west of VIrginia 616. Work will continue into spring.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

#Interstate 81: Temporary closings will occur on southbound lanes on the bridge over the James River while weather sensors are placed in the pavement.

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. Work should be completed in spring.

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. Work will continue until spring 1995.

U.S. 11: The bridge at Buchanan over the James River and CSX Railroad is under repair with traffic reduced to one lane. Vehicles wider than 11 feet are prohibited. The work will last into late summer.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Virginia 605: In Henry, 0.7 mile is being widened starting at the west intersection of Virginia 606 to Virginia 769. Work will continue until fall.

GILES COUNTY

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

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Interstate 81: There will be temporary lane closings on U.S. 11/460 while the bridge at exit 118 (Christiansburg) is being painted.

U.S. 460: The eastbound lanes from Virginia 808 to Virginia 777 are being paved.

MONTGOMERY/PULASKI COUNTY

Interstate 81: From exit 98 at Dublin to exit 118 at Christiansburg, the shoulder will be closed at various locations where fencing is being installed.

HILLSVILLE

#FLEA MARKET TRAFFIC: Lengthy delays can be expected on U.S. routes 58, 52 and 221 because of the Labor Day weekend Flea Market and Gun Show from Friday through Monday. Watch for message boards and signs indicating changes in traffic patterns. If not attending the flea market, avoid Hillsville by using alternate routes.

ROANOKE

#Fifth Street: The Fifth Street bridge being constructed between Salem and Gilmer avenues will reopen Wednesday about 1:30 p.m. Temporary delays can be expected after opening during final cleanup.

Wells Avenue: The road is closed from First Street to Commonwealth Avenue and between Williamson Road and Commonwealth Avenue while construction is under way to widen the road to four lanes. As a result, the detour between Wells Avenue and Shenandoah Avenue also will be closed temporarily.

ROANOKE COUNTY

Virginia 419 and U.S. 221: At the Brambleton Avenue intersection, temporary lane closings may occur while traffic signals are replaced. Work will take about two weeks.

U.S. 11/460: In the Dixie Caverns area, from Harborwood Road to near the Blue Jay Motel, the road is being widened.

U.S. 11: Williamson Road (U.S. 11) from Plantation Road 1 mile north is being widened. A new traffic pattern is in place, with one lane of traffic flowing in each direction. Vehicles wider than 9 feet are prohibited from Plantation Road to Virginia 601. Estimated completion is summer 1995.

U.S. 11/460: At the Montgomery County line, the bridge over the Roanoke River and Norfolk Southern tracks is under repair. One lane of traffic is open in each direction while work is under way on the center median barrier. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph. Vehicles wider than 9 feet are prohibited. Work should be completed in September.

Virginia 615: The bridge on Starlight Lane over Back Creek is being replaced. Traffic is using a temporary detour. Completion of the bridge replacement is expected in late summer.

Virginia 639: Near the Spring Hollow Reservoir, a bridge is being replaced with a box culvert. One-third mile is being widened.

Virginia 830: Motorists should be alert to construction traffic along U.S. 11/460 near the intersection with Virginia 612, Poor Mountain Road. A new access road is being built at Valley Techpark in west Roanoke County.

Virginia 1602: The upper end of Virginia 1602 (Bunker Hill Drive) behind the old Roanoke County administrative offices will be closed to through traffic starting this week while construction to widen the lower end of Virginia 1602 (Valley Forge Avenue) is under way.

SALEM

#Parkdale Drive: The 400 block will be closed for demolition and replacement of the bridge over Gish Branch. Motorists must take detours. Work will be completed in 45 days.

nOCKBRIDGE COUNTY

#Interstate 81: From exits 195-205, grading, drainage and pavement is being done at all interchanges and crossovers. The northbound lane at exit 195 is closed from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Motorists may experience delays.

PATRICK COUNTY

#Virginia 744: The road from the Blue Ridge Parkway to Virginia 600 will reopen this week following completion of bridge replacement.

#U.S. 58: From Virginia 8 to Virginia 640 in the Lovers Leap area, the road is being resurfaced. Motorists may experience delays.

HENRY COUNTY

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

#U.S. 58: Motorists may experience delays in the Horsepasture area during road resurfacing.