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

DATE: SUNDAY, July 30, 1995                   TAG: 9507310034
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

BEDFORD COUNTY

#Virginia 755: Work is under way to install a drain. The road will be closed from Virginia 24 to the Scenic Acres subdivision. Drivers may use Virginia 616 as an alternate route.

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 bridge is being repaired at exit 162 over U.S. 11. Traffic is reduced to one lane. Beginning Monday, the southbound exit ramp will be closed. Speed limit is reduced to 55 mph.

Interstate 81: The highway is under construction from milepost 147 (Roanoke County/Botetourt County line) to milepost 168, south of Buchanan.

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. Traffic has been shifted to the new lanes while a bridge is rebuilt. The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

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

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

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

Virginia 117: Realigning 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. Most of the construction is done between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. The off-ramp at Wonju Street, going toward Franklin Road, is closed. Motorists heading south between Virginia 419 and Wal-Mart may not turn left onto Southern Hills Drive. Motorists heading north between Wal-Mart and Virginia 419 may not turn left onto Valley Avenue. Drivers may use the frontage road as an alternate. The speed limit, reduced to 45 mph in the construction zone, is strictly enforced.

U.S. 11: Williamson Road from Plantation Road one mile north is being widened. 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.