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

DATE: SUNDAY, July 16, 1995                   TAG: 9507170083
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-4   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. From 7 p.m. tonight until noon Friday, the final stages of work will be done on the north- and southbound lanes north of exit 150 at Troutville. Speed limit is reduced to 55 mph and is strictly enforced.

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 one-tenth of a mile north of Virginia 625 because of flood damage.

Virginia 630: Closed 1.5 miles west of Virginia 890 because of flood damage.

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: There will be lane closures and traffic delays in Bassett, south from Virginia 57 to Virginia 682, because of paving.

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

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

#U.S. 460: Bridge work will begin over Hightop Road near Blacksburg starting July 23.

#I-81: Bridge painting is under way at various locations with one lane closed. Work will last until the end of the month.

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

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

#Virginia 117: Realigning and reworking intersections at Melrose Avenue, Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue has begun. Flaggers will be in place, and there will be some traffic delays. Work will be performed along Salem Turnpike, so motorists should use caution.

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: A new traffic signal is being installed at the intersection of U.S. 220 and Buck Mountain Road. There will be temporary lane closures and traffic delays.

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 p.m. 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. Alternate routes should be considered.

U.S. 11: Williamson Road is being widened from Plantation Road 1 mile north. One lane is open in each direction. The middle, or left-turn, lane has been deleted; 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 caution. Work should be completed by late summer.

by CNB