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

DATE: SUNDAY, November 19, 1995                   TAG: 9511200024
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

ROADWATCH

BEDFORD COUNTY

Virginia 707: Construction is under way to widen and pave Virginia 707 between Virginia 24 and Virginia 43. The project will take about three months to complete.

U.S. 460: Paving is under way at various locations in the westbound lanes between New London and Bedford. Lane closures and short delays are expected.

#Virginia 634: Paving is under way from the Franklin County line near Hardy Ford Bridge to 0.2 mile south of the Virginia 633 intersection.

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 northbound and southbound lanes.

Traffic in both directions will be reduced to one lane throughout the week.

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

CARROLL COUNTY

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: In Boones Mill, a left-turn lane is being added for Virginia T1611. The speed limit temporarily is reduced to 35 mph in the work zone.

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

Virginia 640: Five Mile Mountain Road is under construction to correct a slide. Estimated completion is early 1996.

Virginia 850: The road is under construction from Virginia 643 to its dead end. Road is being rebuilt, a new bridge installed, and new surface treatment will be applied.

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.

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

Peters Creek Road: The first section from Melrose Avenue to Shenandoah Avenue is under construction. Intersections at Melrose Avenue, Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue will be reworked. Work currently is being done along the Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue, and drivers should use caution. Flaggers will direct traffic; there will be delays.

#Second Street (Gainsboro Road): Work is under way to widen Second Street from Salem Avenue north to Orange Avenue. A bridge will be built over the Norfolk Southern tracks near the existing grade crossing, which is closed. Second Street is closed from the midblock between First Street and Second Street to Third Street. Norfolk Avenue will be closed to through traffic crossing Second Street. Motorists may experience delays. Completion is expected in the summer of 1997.

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.

Interstate 81: The bridges over Mason Creek between Exits 140 (Virginia 311) and 141 (Virginia 419) are being replaced. Two lanes of traffic are being maintained in each direction through the work zone. 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.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY

Interstate 81: The southbound exit ramp at Exit 180A (Natural 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.

#Interstate 81: A ramp extension project is under way from the Augusta County line to the Botetourt County line. Left-lane closures may occur northbound.