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

DATE: SUNDAY, June 18, 1995                   TAG: 9506200039
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

#Indicates new information.

BEDFORD COUNTY

Virginia 811: Work has begun to install a drain. One lane, between U.S. 460 and U.S. 221, is closed during the day; both lanes are open after 6 p.m.

BOTETOURT COUNTY|

#Interstate 81: The highway is under construction from milepost 147 (Roanoke County/Botetourt County line) to milepost 162. The section includes exit 150. The speed limit, reduced to 55 mph, is strictly enforced.

Some portions of the north- and southbound lanes will be closed during the day. Work will begin tonight. All lanes will be opened Friday at noon.

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.

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.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

I-81: Painting will continue this week on the bridge over Virginia 177 at exit 109. The work will last until the end of the month, depending on the weather. Also, northbound traffic is reduced to one lane in various places while a guardrail is replaced. Work will continue throughout the week.

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

I-81: Bridge repairs have begun 1.72 miles south of exit 98 at Dublin. One northbound lane will be closed.

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

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

13th Street Northeast: The bridge over Tinker Creek remains closed until 4 p.m. Monday.

U.S. 220 (Roy L. Webber Highway): Lanes are being narrowed in both directions during the day Monday through Friday, and traffic is 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 45 days. The Elm Avenue on-ramp at Community Hospital, going south on the highway, will be closed for the next 45 days. Detour signs are posted. There are temporary lane closures at night. Motorists heading south from Virginia 419 cannot turn left onto Southern Hills Drive. Motorists heading north from Wal-Mart cannot turn left onto Valley Avenue. Drivers may use the frontage road. These closures will last about 90 days. The speed limit, reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone, is being strictly enforced.

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 a drain, adding turn lanes and installing a traffic signal.

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.