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

DATE: SUNDAY, April 16, 1995                   TAG: 9504180076
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

ROADWATCH

BEDFORD COUNTY

#Virginia 619: The bridge over Bore Auger Creek near Sandy Ford is being repaired. It will reopen to traffic Monday.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

#Interstate 81: Pavement repairs will begin Tuesday in the northbound lanes between Exits 150 and 156. Some work may be performed at night, and there will be temporary lane closures. Speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph and will be strictly enforced. Signs are being posted.

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 using all lanes, but temporary lane closings may occur. 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.

U.S. 11: The bridge over Looney Mill Creek is being repaired. 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 Exit 167. Repairs are halfway complete, and traffic has been switched over so that work can begin on the other side of the 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 619: From the Henry County line to Virginia 890, 2.4 miles are being widened and paved.

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

GILES COUNTY

#U.S. 460: The westbound lanes between Newport and Pembroke are being resurfaced. Temporary lane closures will occur. Work should take a couple of weeks.

HENRY COUNTY

U.S. 58: The 4.6 miles from Virginia 684 to Spencer are being widened to four lanes. Traffic has been shifted onto the new lanes while a bridge is rebuilt. Speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph.

PULASKI COUNTY

#Interstate 81: The southbound lanes from Exit 94 to the Wythe County line will be paved. Temporary lane closures may occur.

#Interstate 81: Starting Wednesday, one northbound lane at milepost 97 will be closed because of work on the bridge over Virginia 644.

#Virginia 658: The deck of the bridge over I-81 near Draper is being repaired. Work should take about a month.

ROANOKE

#U.S. 220: (Roy L. Webber Highway) The expressway is being widened from four to six lanes from Elm Avenue to Virginia 419. A concrete traffic barrier on the inside shoulder separates traffic from the work area. Bridge deck repairs and drainage work also are being done. Lanes are narrowed to two 11-foot lanes in each direction during the day and may be reduced to one lane at night and on weekends. As of Saturday, the U.S. 220 northbound on-ramp at Wonju Street from Colonial Avenue will be closed for the next 45-60 days. On Monday, northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane from Virginia 419 to Elm Avenue from 8 p.m.-6 a.m. Speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone and is strictly enforced. Traffic delays can be expected.

Hollins Road: The portion of the road at the railroad crossing near the Norfolk Southern Shops will be closed for about six months while the adjacent bridge over Lick Run Channel is replaced. No detour has been created. Access to downtown and the southeast section of the city can be by using Orange Avenue and Williamson Road.

Wells Avenue: The road has opened to traffic, although temporary lane closures may occur while work continues on widening lanes. Watch for signs and flaggers.

Pedestrian bridge: Construction is under way on the pedestrian bridge connecting Hotel Roanoke with First Union Tower. Shenandoah and Norfolk avenues are open. Delays may occur for short periods, and traffic may be reduced to one lane.

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.

#Interstate 581: At Exit 1 South (Salem), the bridge over I-581 is being repaired. Shoulders on the exit ramp may be closed from time to time. Watch for signs, and use caution. Work should take a month to complete.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY

Interstate 81: Grading, drainage and paving are under way at all interchanges and crossovers from the Botetourt County line to the Augusta County line. Shoulders are closed at various locations. The right lane will be closed at times at Exit 175 and Exit 180 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.