The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced a public hearing to discuss the replacement of the Route 16 (Fairground Road) bridge over the Clinch River in Tazewell. The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Tazewell Town Hall, located at 211 Central Avenue.
The proposed project involves replacing the current two-lane, double-span bridge, which is 22 feet wide, with a new two-lane, single-span bridge measuring 30 feet wide. This upgrade aims to improve traffic flow and safety in the area.
Community members can access information about the project and provide feedback through VDOT’s public meeting website at https://publicinput.com/i77417.
VDOT encourages residents to submit comments on the project by December 26, 2025. Comments can be made by calling Project Manager Ron Flanary at 276-669-6151 or by emailing vdotinfo@vdot.virginia.gov with “Route 16 bridge replacement Tazewell” in the subject line. Attendees of the in-person meeting will also have access to comment sheets. Additionally, feedback may be submitted via traditional mail to Project Manager Ron Flanary at 2111 Bonham Road, Bristol, Virginia 24201 or through an online form available on https://publicinput.com/i77417.
The open house/drop-in format allows participants to attend at their convenience within the scheduled hours and learn more about how this infrastructure improvement could impact local travel and safety.