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

DATE: SUNDAY, September 24, 1995                   TAG: 9509250068
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

BEDFORD COUNTY|

Virginia 707: Construction is under way to widen and pave Virginia 707 between Virginia 24 and Virginia 43.

Virginia 221: Construction is under way at various locations between Forest and Goode. Lane closures and short delays are expected.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

#Interstate 81: The highway is under construction from milepost 147 (Roanoke/Botetourt County line) to milepost 162 (south of Buchanan). Various lane closings will be in effect in both the northbound and southbound lanes. Through Friday, northbound traffic will be reduced to one lane while the concrete pavement is eing overlaid with asphalt. Motorist can expect delays.

For information, northbound motorists can tune to 1610 AM and southbound motorists can tune to 530 AM. There will be delays.

Interstate 81: The bridge is being repaired at exit 162 over U.S. 11. Traffic will be reduced to one lane, and the southbound exit ramp will be closed. Speed limit is reduced to 55 mph.

CARROLL COUNTY

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

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

FRANKLIN COUNTY

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 802, 832, 853 and 861: Roads being reconstructed and receiving surface treatment.

HENRY COUNTY

U.S. 58: The 4.6 mile stretch from Virginia 684 to Spencer is 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

Virginia 177: Work is under way to add southbound lanes from I-81 to Radford.

Virginia 685: Work is under way to widen and straighten Virginia 685 (Prices Fork Road) near Blacksburg.

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

Virginia 117 (Peters Creek Road): Realigning has begun of intersections at Melrose Avenue, Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue. Work is being performed along the Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue.

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.

I-81: The bridge between exits 140 (Virginia 311) and 141 (Virginia 419) is being replaced. Pavement will be widened in the median beginning on the northbound side from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. The southbound on-ramp from Exit 141 (Virginia 419) will close for two years. Motorists can use Virginia 311 to Exit 140 to travel south. Speed will be reduced to 55 mph.

#9th Street S.E.: River bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. Monday until Jan. 15, 1996, for repairs. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes.

VINTON

#Virginia 24: New water lines are being installed across the east and west bound lanes. Single lane closures will occur from Pollard Street to Chestnut Avenue from 9:00 to 4:00 p.m. beginning Monday through Oct. 6. The speed limit will be reduced to 25 mph.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY

I-81: The southbound exit ramp at Exit 180A (National Bridge/Glasgow) will be closed for about 45 days because of repair work to the I-81 bridge over U.S. 11. Motorists are advised to use Exit 180B to exit onto U.S. 11.