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

DATE: SUNDAY, December 25, 1994                   TAG: 9412270100
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B8   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

ROADWATCH

ALLEGHANY COUNTY

Interstate 64: Slope repair work is under way at mileposts 20 and 21. One eastbound lane is closed. Estimated completion date is in January. Guardrail replacement and pavement rehabilitation is under way at milepost 14. One westbound lane is closed.

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. Motorists should allow extra time to travel through the intersection of Alternate U.S. 220 and U.S. 460 until a new traffic signal is installed. A new traffic signal also is being installed at the intersection of Alternate U.S. 220 and Virginia 654. Work should be completed by 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 mile north of Virginia 696 to 0.2 mile south of the CSX Railroad tracks.

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. Motorists should watch for signs and flaggers. Work will continue until spring.

U.S. 11: The bridge over Looney Mill Creek is under repair. Traffic is reduced to one lane, with temporary signals controlling traffic flow. Speed limit is reduced to 35 mph. Vehicles wider than 11 feet are prohibited from about 0.4 mile north of the intersection with Interstate 81 at Exit 162 to just south of the Exit 167 interchange. The first half of the bridge repair is expected to be completed by Jan. 1. During the winter, the bridge will be open to two-way traffic. The other half of repairs will begin in the spring.

CARROLL COUNTY

Virginia 713: Near Pipers Gap, a section will be closed for replacement of a bridge starting 0.5 mile north of Virginia 683. Detours are marked. Work should be completed this week.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Virginia 605: In Henry, the road is being widened from Virginia 606 to 0.7 mile east of Virginia 606.

Virginia 619: From the Henry County line to Virginia 890, 2.4 miles are being widened and paved. Expect minor delays. Work should be completed by May.

U.S. 220 business (North Main Street): In Rocky Mount, U.S. 220 is being widened to four lanes to the U.S. 220 bypass. Work will last into spring.

Virginia 623: Near Ingramville, the road is being widened and the bridge replaced. Work runs from Virginia 778 to Virginia 605.

Virginia 783: In Endicott, the bridge over Runnett Bag Creek is being replaced. Detours are marked. Estimated completion is in spring.

HENRY COUNTY

U.S. 58: The 3.3 miles from Horsepasture to Spencer are being widened. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph. Traffic has been shifted onto the new lanes while the old lanes are being rebuilt. Construction will continue until spring.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

U.S. 460: A third lane is being added to westbound U.S. 460 from the end of the Christiansburg bypass to Virginia 114 at Kmart.

MONTGOMERY/PULASKI COUNTIES

Interstate 81: Tuesday through Friday, traffic on the northbound bridge over the New River will be reduced to one lane while repairs are made.

ROANOKE

Wells Avenue: The road is closed from Williamson Road to First Street for widening. Access to Commonwealth Avenue from the Interstate 581 downtown off-ramp is closed. Access to Howard's Car Care is available from Williamson Road.

Pedestrian bridge: Construction is under way on the pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks connecting the Hotel Roanoke with First Union Tower.

#Williamson Road Southeast: Between Jefferson Street and just south of Albermarle Avenue, the street will be closed from Tuesday to Jan. 10 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Albermarle Avenue Southeast between Jefferson Street and Williamson Road also will be closed during the same times.

ROANOKE COUNTY

U.S. 11: Williamson Road (U.S. 11) from Plantation Road one mile north is being widened. A new traffic pattern is in use, with one lane of traffic in each direction. Vehicles wider than 9 feet are prohibited from Plantation Road to Virginia 601. Completion is estimated by summer.

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.

Kentland Drive Southwest: The road is closed between Charing Cross Drive and Willow Lane for sewer-line replacement. The project will take another week to complete.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY

Interstate 81: Grading, drainage and pavement work is under way at all interchanges and crossovers from Exit 188 to Exit 205. Shoulders are closed at various locations. Northbound lane closure at Exit 195 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.