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

DATE: SUNDAY, October 1, 1995                   TAG: 9510020052
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

Here are highway and street projects scheduled this week by the Virginia Department of Transportation and area localities. Schedules are subject to change because of weather and contractors' scheduling. # indicates new information.

BEDFORD COUNTY

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

U.S. 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 County/Botetourt County line) to milepost 162 (south of Buchanan). Reduced speed limit of 55 mph is strictly enforced. Various lane closings will be in effect in the north- and southbound lanes. Through Friday, southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane while the concrete pavement is being overlaid with asphalt. Motorist can expect delays.

For information, northbound motorists can tune to 1610 AM, and southbound motorists can tune to 530 AM.

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. Work should be done by mid-October.

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

#Virginia 632: The road is under construction to Virginia 717, and new surface treatment will be applied after reconstruction. Work will last until December.

#Virginia 802: The road is under construction from Virginia 756 to its dead end, and new surface treatment will be applied after reconstruction. Work will last until November.

#Virginia 832: The road is under construction between Virginia 40 and 707. Surface treatment will be applied. Work will last until December.

#Virginia 853: The road is under construction from Virginia 864 to its dead end, and new surface treatment will be applied. Work will last until December.

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.

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 done along Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue.

U.S. 11: Williamson Road is being widened from Plantation Road one 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 complete this month.

I-81: The bridge over Mason Creek and between exits 140 (Virginia 311) and 141 (Virginia 419) is being replaced. The southbound on-ramp from exit 141 (Virginia 419) will be closed for two years. Motorists can use Virginia 311 to exit 140 to travel south. Speed will be reduced to 55 mph.

Ninth Street Southeast: The river bridge will be closed from 9 a.m. Monday until Jan. 15 for repairs. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes.

VINTON

#Virginia 24: New water lines are being installed across the east- and westbound lanes. Single lane closures will occur from Pollard Street to Chestnut Avenue from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. beginning Monday and continuing through Friday. 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 repairs to the I-81 bridge over U.S. 11. Motorists are advised to use exit 180B to exit onto U.S. 11.

Memo: ***CORRECTION***

by CNB