Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 8, 1995 TAG: 9501090025
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
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. Traffic is traveling in the new lanes with only one lane open in each direction. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph. Drivers should be alert for orange signs and barrels showing the new traffic pattern. Two new traffic signals are being installed at the intersections with U.S. 460 and Virginia 654 (Read Mountain Road). Work will be completed by spring.
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. 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.
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. 31, depending on weather. After repairs are made, the bridge will be open to two-way traffic for the rest of the winter. The rest of the repairs will be done in the spring.
CARROLL COUNTY
Virginia 713: Near Pipers Gap, a section of the road will be closed for replacement of a bridge starting 0.5 mile north of Virginia 683. Detours are marked.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
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 605: In Henry, the road is being widened from Virginia 606 to 0.7 mile east of Virginia 605. Work will be completed in late spring.
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.
Virginia 623: Near Ingramville, the road is being widened and the existing bridge replaced. Work runs from Virginia 778 to Virginia 605. Estimated completion is summer.
Virginia 783: In Endicott, the bridge over Rennet Bag Creek is being replaced. Detours are marked. Estimated completion is in the spring.
HENRY COUNTY
#U.S. 58: The 3.3 miles from Horsepasture to Spencer are being widened. Traffic has been shifted onto the new lanes while a bridge is being rebuilt. Construction will continue until spring. Speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph.
MONTGOMERY/PULASKI COUNTIES
Interstate 81: Monday 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 for widening from Williamson Road to First Street. 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 connecting the Hotel Roanoke with First Union Tower.
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. Starting Monday, traffic will be using the new side of the bridge at Hollins College. Watch for signs and barriers. Completion is estimated by summer.
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. One northbound lane is closed at Exit 195 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
by CNB