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

DATE: SUNDAY, May 7, 1995                   TAG: 9505080075
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

#Indicates new information.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

#Interstate 81: From milepost 147 (Roanoke/Botetourt County line) to milepost 168, I-81 is under construction to repair the concrete pavement and overlay it with asphalt. Work will be done in several north- and southbound locations simultaneously. Speed limit is reduced to 55 mph throughout and is strictly enforced. Starting at 7 p.m. today, the left southbound lane near Exit 150 will be closed so work can be done on the I-81 bridges over U.S. 220 and Tinker Creek. This section should be reopened by noon Wednesday. Southbound traffic also will be reduced to one lane near mile marker 161 until Thursday evening. Starting at 7 p.m. Monday, the right northbound lane over Tinker Creek will be closed. Work is expected to be finished in the northbound lanes by Friday. For additional information, northbound motorists can tune to radio station 1610 AM; southbound motorists can tune to radio station 530 AM. There will be traffic delays; local motorists may wish to consider alternate routes.

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 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. Traffic has been switched over so 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 623: Near Ingramville, the road is being widened and the bridge replaced. Work runs from Virginia 778 to Virginia 605.

PULASKI COUNTY

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

ROANOKE

Brambleton Avenue: Two lanes of Brambleton Avenue will be closed periodically between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday for the running of the eighth annual Shenandoah Life/Musselwhite & Associates 4-miler. Two of the four lanes between the 2300 and 3700 blocks of Brambleton will be open to traffic. Drivers are advised to use either Colonial Avenue or Grandin and Garst Mill roads between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m.

#U.S. 220 (Roy L. Webber Highway): The expressway is being widened from four to six lanes from Elm Avenue to Virginia 419. Lanes are narrowed to two 11-foot lanes in each direction during the day and will be reduced to one lane at night and on weekends. The U.S. 220 northbound on- and off-ramps at Wonju Street from Colonial Avenue are closed for the next 45 days. Starting Wednesday, the southbound on-ramp from Franklin Road will be closed for 45 days. 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 East End Shops is closed 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 made via Orange Avenue and Williamson Road.

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. 220 (Roy L. Webber Highway): From Monday-Friday, lane closures will be in place in both directions. Motorists heading south between Virginia 419 and Wal-Mart will not be able to turn left onto Southern Hills Drive. Motorists heading north between Wal-Mart and Virginia 419 will not be able to turn left onto Valley Avenue. Drivers could use the frontage road as an alternative. These closures will last about 90 days.

U.S. 11: Williamson Road from Plantation Road one mile north is being widened. One lane of traffic is flowing in each direction. The Hollins College entrance and LaMarre Drive are being realigned. Vehicles wider than 9 feet are prohibited from Plantation Road to Virginia 601.