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

DATE: MONDAY, May 29, 1995                   TAG: 9506020018
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

Here are highway and street projects scheduled for this week by the Virginia Department of Transportation and localities. Schedules are subject to change because of weather and contractors.

#Indicates new information.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

Interstate 81: I-81 is under construction from milepost 147 (Roanoke County/Botetourt County line) to milepost 168. The section includes exit 150. Some north- and southbound lanes may be closed between milepost 147 and milepost 162. Speed limit is reduced to 55 mph and is strictly enforced. There will be delays; local motorists may wish to consider alternate routes. Work on this section should begin Tuesday night and end by noon Friday. For additional information, northbound motorists may tune to radio station 1610 AM; southbound motorists may tune to 530 AM.

U.S. 11: The bridge over Looney Mill Creek is being repaired. Traffic is reduced to one lane, with temporary signals controlling flow. Speed limit is reduced to 35 mph.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Virginia 40: Drainage pipes are being installed under the road in various locations. Although the work is being done off the paved area, be alert for highway workers and equipment.

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.

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 being rebuilt. The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph. Construction will continue until fall.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

U.S. 460: Work is being done on the shoulders of the east- and westbound lanes from the road's intersection with Virginia 114 to the Christiansburg bypass.

#I-81: Work will begin this week on the bridge over Route 177 at Exit 109. The painting work will last about a month, depending on the weather. Also, northbound traffic is reduced to one lane near mile marker 124 while a guardrail is replaced. Work will continue in various places throughout the week.

Christiansburg: Work has begun to add turn lanes and update the signal at Franklin and Cambria streets.

ROANOKE

#Mason Mill bridge: Repair work will begin at 9 a.m. Monday on the Mason Mill Road Bridge. Work should be completed by Friday. Motorists should find alternate routes.

#2nd Street: The 2nd Street Railroad Crossing will close at 9 a.m. Tuesday while a conduit is installed for Norfolk Southern. The crossing will reopen Thursday afternoon. Motorists should find alternate routes.

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

U.S. 220 (Roy L. Webber Highway): From Monday through Friday, lanes will be narrowed in both directions during the day and reduced to one lane at night and on weekends. The U.S. 220 northbound on- and off-ramps at Wonju Street from Colonial Avenue and the entrance from Franklin Road are closed for 45 days. The southbound on-ramp from Franklin Road is now open. Starting Wednesday, the Elm Avenue southbound on-ramp at Community Hospital will be closed for the next 45 days. Detour signs will be posted. 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 alternate. These closures will last about 90 days.

ROANOKE COUNTY

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

Virginia 115 (Plantation Road): The intersection of Plantation Road and Virginia 601 (Hollins Road) is being improved by widening the box culvert, adding turn lanes and installing a traffic signal. Expect traffic delays. Work should be completed by late summer.

Memo: ***CORRECTION***

by CNB