Motorists in southwestern Virginia are advised to be cautious and stay informed about ongoing highway construction and maintenance projects, according to the latest weekly update from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The report covers expected traffic impacts from December 1 through December 7, 2025.
VDOT recommends travelers use its 511 service or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov for real-time updates on road conditions.
Several new and ongoing projects are underway across interstates and primary highways in the region:
On Interstate 81, bridge repairs southbound near exit 29 in Washington County may cause lane closures until December 4. Bridge rehabilitation work is also taking place southbound near exit 3 in Bristol, with completion anticipated by late 2025. Widening projects continue between exits 10 and 7 southbound, as well as northbound from exit 7 to the north, with an expected finish in spring 2026. The City of Bristol is leading improvements at Route 11 and I-81 exit 5 ramps to improve traffic flow and safety; this project should conclude by May 2026.
Other notable interstate work includes auxiliary lane construction on I-81 southbound between exits 73 and 72 in Wythe County (completion: fall 2026), a truck climbing lane project on I-77 northbound from mile marker 30.6 to exit 32 in Wythe County (completion: June 2026), and various maintenance activities such as nighttime bridge inspections, brush removal, and deck repairs on both I-81 and I-77.
Primary highways also face significant work:
In Bland County, Route 608 (Skydusky Road) remains closed for a bridge superstructure replacement until August 2026. Buchanan County drivers will encounter a new traffic pattern on Route 460 at Grundy due to ongoing construction related to Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B.
Dickenson County has two active bridge projects: repairs on Route 619 (Skeetrock Road) over Pound River using temporary signals for one-way traffic (completion: early 2026), and a replacement of the Route 63 bridge in Haysi with similar traffic controls until April 2026.
Scott County motorists should expect changes at the intersection of Routes 23/58 at Duffield as improvements progress through June 2026. In Smyth County, Route 651 (Carriage Road) will be closed for bridge replacement from December 1–19; detours will be available during this period.
Tazewell County is seeing paving work on Route 91 expected to wrap up by early December. The replacement of the Route 61 bridge over Cove Creek continues with one-way traffic control via signals until September 2026. The Front Street bridge over the Clinch River in Richlands is closed for replacement; motorists must follow posted detour routes until April 2026.
In Wythe County, construction continues on a new connector road linking Nye Road to E. Lee Trinkle Road as part of efforts to provide direct access to Progress Park industrial site. A section of Lover’s Lane remains closed during this project, which also involves upgrades at the I-77 interchange at exit 41; completion is set for November 2026.
“Use caution and be alert to changes in traffic patterns and slow-moving or stopped traffic,” VDOT stated in its release.
