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

DATE: SUNDAY, January 15, 1995                   TAG: 9501160036
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

Here are highway and street projects scheduled this week by the Virginia Department of Transportation and Western Virginia localities. Schedules are subject to change because of weather and contractors' schedules. #Indicates new information.

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. A new traffic signal has been installed at the intersection of Virginia 654 (Read Mountain Road); be alert for changes in traffic flow.

Virginia 654 (Read Mountain Road): In the Cloverdale area, 1.8 miles are being widened east of U.S. 11 to Alternate U.S. 220. 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.

CARROLL COUNTY

Virginia 713: Work should be completed this week on a section of Virginia 713 near Pipers Gap. The road has been closed for replacement of a bridge.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

U.S. 220 business (North Main Street): In Rocky Mount, the road is being widened to four lanes to the U.S. 220 bypass.

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. 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.

Virginia 783: In Endicott, the bridge over Rennet Bag Creek is being replaced. Detours are marked.

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. Speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph.

ROANOKE

#Wells Avenue: The road is closed from Commonwealth Avenue to First Street. Access to Commonwealth Avenue from the Interstate 581 off-ramp will reopen Monday. Also this week, Wells Avenue from Williamson Road to Commonwealth Avenue will reopen to local traffic.

Pedestrian bridge: Construction is under way on the pedestrian bridge connecting 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. One lane of traffic is flowing in each direction. Traffic is using the new side of the bridge at Hollins College. Vehicles wider than 9 feet are prohibited from Plantation Road to Virginia 601.

Kentland Drive Southwest: The road is closed between Charing Cross Drive and Willow Lane for sewer-line replacement. The project will take several weeks.

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