The Virginia Department of Transportation announced on Apr. 2 that oversized loads will be moving along Route 220 in Botetourt County as part of the Rocky Forge Wind Farm project in Eagle Rock, starting Monday, April 6 and continuing through the end of May.
The movement of these large vehicles is expected to affect daily traffic patterns and could cause delays for local drivers. The oversized loads, which can reach up to 245 feet in length and approximately 14.5 feet wide, will travel both northbound and southbound between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. State police escorts will accompany each load for safety.
There are two main routes involved: one from northbound Interstate 81 at exit 150 onto northbound Route 220 in Daleville to Eagle Rock, and another from northbound I-81 to I-64 onto southbound Route 220 through Iron Gate to Eagle Rock. In addition, Route 622 (Dagger Springs Road) will be closed from its intersection with Route 694 (Gala Loop Road) for about four miles while these loads pass by. Periodic closures on this stretch are planned during transport hours and after 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Drivers are advised to use caution around these vehicles as adjustments may be needed on the roadway due to their size, and message boards will provide updated information about closures or changes.
According to the official website, the Virginia Department of Transportation focuses on building, maintaining, and operating roads, bridges, and tunnels across Virginia with an emphasis on safety and efficiency. The agency manages one of the largest state highway systems in the United States covering tens of thousands of lane-miles statewide according to VDOT. It also provides services such as highway maintenance, traffic management using tools like Virginia 511, oversight over land-use permits along state routes according to VDOT, planning new infrastructure projects, construction oversight, and routine maintenance tasks according to VDOT.
VDOT was established from a State Highway Commission formed in 1906 that has evolved over time into its current structure managing transportation infrastructure throughout Virginia according to VDOT. Its headquarters is located at 1221 East Broad Street in Richmond according to VDOT.
