ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996             TAG: 9609300005
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-4  EDITION: METRO 


ROADWATCH

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

BEDFORD COUNTY

Virginia 122: At Virginia 801, the bridge deck is being replaced. No vehicles wider than 8 feet. Temporary traffic signals control traffic during construction.

U.S. 460: Eastbound bridges over Big and Little Otter rivers are under repair. One lane of traffic is open. Use extreme caution.

Virginia 622: Road is being widened starting at Virginia 811 for four miles west.

Virginia 661 (Camp Ruthers Road): The bridge is being replaced over the Norfolk Southern tracks, between Virginia 811 and U.S. 221.

Virginia 671 (Timberidge Road): Bridge over the Norfolk Southern tracks near Forest is being replaced. The road will be under construction, and surface treatment will be applied between U.S. 460 and U.S. 221.

Virginia 695: A bridge is being installed over Days Creek, north of Montvale. Expect delays. Completion expected in two weeks.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

Interstate 81: Repair and asphalt overlay of the concrete pavement between mile markers 152 and 162. There will be northbound and southbound lane closures between mile markers 151-161. The speed limit will be reduced to 55 mph.

Virginia 654 (Read Mountain Road): The bridge at U.S. 11 is being widened. No left turns are allowed from southbound U.S. 11 onto Virginia 654 or 1003, or from 654 to U.S. 11. Work should be completed in the fall.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

#Interstate 81: Paving is under way southbound between the Roanoke County line and mile marker 123. Work will be done at night from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

U.S. 11 (Green Hill): Work is under way near the Roanoke County/Montgomery County line to relocate the eastbound lanes and construct a new bridge over the Norfolk Southern tracks. Motorists should use extreme caution.

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

Depot Street: Work is under way to extend Depot Street from U.S. 460 (North Franklin Street) to Virginia 8 (North Main Street) in Christiansburg. One lane in each direction will be open. Flaggers will direct traffic; expect delays.

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

Peters Creek Road Extension: The section from Melrose Avenue to Shenandoah Avenue is under construction. Flaggers will be directing traffic. Expect delays. Watch for new directional signs and detours. There is a new traffic pattern on Shenandoah. Construction has begun on the second section from Shenandoah to Brandon Avenue. No delays are expected.

Second Street (Gainsboro Road): Work is under way to widen Second Street from Salem Avenue north to Orange Avenue. A bridge is being built over the Norfolk Southern tracks near the existing grade crossing, which is closed. Completion is expected in fall 1997. Gainsboro will be closed between Madison and Gilmer avenues for an estimated 3 months. A detour will be posted.

Brandon Avenue: Brandon Avenue is being widened to five lanes from Mudlick Road to Keagy Road. One lane of traffic will be open in each direction during construction. The left-turn lane is eliminated. Expect delays. Consider alternate routes. Completion is expected in summer 1997.

Interstate 81: Bridges over Masons Creek between Exits 140 (Virginia 311) and 141 (Virginia 419) are being replaced. The southbound on-ramp at Exit 141 (Virginia 419) is closed. Motorists can use Virginia 311 to Exit 140 to travel south. Speed has been reduced to 55 mph. Completion is expected in spring 1997.

#Yellow Mountain Road: Grading and drainage work is under way on Yellow Mountain Road (Virginia 668). Some utility adjustments continue. Expect delays.

Cresthill Drive: Cresthill Drive is closed starting at Mudlick Creek between Hillbrook Circle (Virginia 1694) and Kirkwood Drive (Virginia 1664) for road improvements and construction of a new bridge. Work should be completed in the fall.

Ardmore Drive and Clearwater Drive: Traffic is limited to one lane on Ardmore, and Clearwater is closed to through traffic for bridge construction. Work should be completed this fall.

Airport Road (Virginia 118): Repairs to the Virginia 118 (Airport Road) Tunnel will continue through early October. One side of the tunnel will be closed at a time.


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by CNB