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

DATE: SUNDAY, July 9, 1995                   TAG: 9507100092
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

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

#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 168. The section includes exit 150. Speed limit has been reduced to 55 mph and is being strictly enforced.

North- and southbound lanes will have multiple lane closures starting at mile marker 151 during the day. Work will begin at 7 p.m. tonight and will last until noon on Friday.

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.

CARROLL COUNTY

Virginia 722:Construction of a drain at the Cranberry River has begun. Drivers may use Virginia 887 as an alternate.

Virginia 823:Construction of a drain over Elk Spur Branch has begun. Drivers may use Virginia 691 and Virginia 679 as alternates.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

#Virginia 652: Closed due to flood damage, one-tenth of a mile north of Virginia 625.

#Virginia 630: Closed due to flood damage, 1.5 miles west of Virginia 890.

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. 220: The highway south of Ridgeway from Virginia 687 to Virginia 688 is being paved.

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. The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

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

I-81 bridge repair: Work has begun 1.72 miles south of exit 98 at Dublin. One northbound lane will be closed.

PATRICK COUNTY

Virginia 8: The road from Virginia 57 to U.S. 58 will be paved.

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

#Virginia 117: Realignment and rework of intersections at Melrose Avenue, Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue has begun. Flagging operations will be in place, and there will be some traffic delays. Work will be performed along Salem Turnpike, so motorists should use caution while traveling through this area.

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.

#U.S. 220 (Roy L. Webber Highway): Traffic is reduced to one lane at night and on weekends. The southbound on-ramp from Elm Avenue is closed. Most of the construction will be between 8 pm and 6 a.m. Motorists heading south between Virginia 419 and Wal-Mart are not able to turn left onto Southern Hills Drive. Motorists heading north between Wal-Mart and Virginia 419 are not able to turn left onto Valley Avenue. Drivers can use the frontage road as an alternate. These closures will last about 90 days. The speed limit, reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone, is strictly enforced.

#U.S. 11: Williamson Road 1 mile north from Plantation Road is being widened. One lane is open in each direction. The middle left turn lane has been deleted, and a new traffic pattern is in place. 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. Expect traffic delays. Use extreme caution. Work should be completed by late summer.

by CNB