                                ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                 TAG: 9704210045
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B-8  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' schedules.

# indicates new information.

BEDFORD COUNTY

#Virginia 638: Work is under way to improve Virginia 638 between Virginia 122 and Virginia 640. Motorists should expect delays.

#Virginia 24: Resurfacing work will continue on Virginia 24 between Virginia 801 and Virginia 122 in the McGhee Store area and between Virginia 43 and Virginia 709 in the Walton's Store area.

#Virginia 666: Reconstruction work is under way on Virginia 666 starting 0.3 mile south of Virginia 221.

Virginia 24: Turning lanes will be added to Virginia 24 at Virginia 755. The shoulder will be closed.

Virginia 122 (Moneta Bypass): Land clearing and brush removal will continue for the new section of Virginia 122 around Moneta. Traffic on Virginia 805, 806 and 608 may be delayed.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

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 Virginia 654 to U.S. 11.

FLOYD COUNTY

Virginia 624 bridge replacement: Virginia 624 is closed near the Floyd/Carroll county line so the bridge over Greasy Creek can be replaced. Several alternative routes such as Virginia 759 are available on either side of the bridge for through traffic.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Virginia 649 bridge construction: A narrow bridge north of Virginia 40 between Virginia 1008 and 921 will be reconstructed. Virginia 649 will be closed until mid-October.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

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

Depot Street: Work is under way to extend the street from North Franklin Street to North Main Street in Christiansburg.

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

#Franklin Road and Elm Avenue: The intersection will be closed until 11 tonight.

Peters Creek Road Extension: The section between Melrose and Shenandoah avenues 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. Watch for directional signs and new traffic patterns. Wells Avenue is open from Jefferson Street to First Street and closed from First Street to Gainsboro Road. A turn lane is being constructed on Orange Avenue at Gainsboro Road. Watch for flaggers.

Brandon Avenue: The road is being widened to five lanes from Mud Lick Road to Keagy Road. One lane of traffic is open in each direction. Flaggers will direct traffic. Expect delays.

Interstate 81: Bridges over Mason 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 may use Virginia 311 to Exit 140 to travel south. Speed has been reduced to 55 mph.

#Yellow Mountain Road: A section of Yellow Mountain Road (Virginia 668), 0.3 mile east of U.S. 220, will be closed to through traffic during the day. The restriction will be lifted at night. This change will be in effect until April 30. Expect delays.

#U.S. 220 (Roanoke County): Approximately 2 miles of the southbound lane, north of the Franklin/Roanoke County line, is being reconstructed. One southbound lane just south of Clearbrook will be closed starting Tuesday. One northbound lane about 1 mile north of the county line will be closed through late May. A concrete barrier wall separates the lanes. Motorists should expect delays and note speed limit changes.