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

DATE: SUNDAY, July 23, 1995                   TAG: 9507240041
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

BEDFORD COUNTY

Virginia 811: Work is under way 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 south of Buchanan.

U.S. 11: The bridge over Looney Mill Creek is being repaired. Traffic is reduced to one lane, with temporary signals. 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 alternate routes.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Virginia 652: Closed one-tenth of a mile west 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. 58: The 4.6 miles from Virginia 684 to Spencer are being widened to four lanes.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

#I-81:The northbound bridge over the Roanoke River near Ironto is being repaired, and the left lane is closed.

I-81: Bridge painting is under way at various locations with one lane closed.

I-81 bridge: 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 is being paved between Virginia 57 and U.S. 58.

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

Virginia 117: Realigning and reworking of intersections at Melrose Avenue, Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue has begun. Work will be performed along Salem Turnpike.

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 U.S. 220 and Buck Mountain Road.

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 done between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The Elm Avenue on-ramp at Community Hospital, going south, as well as the off-ramp at Wonju Street, going toward Franklin Road, are closed. 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 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. Work should be completed by late summer.