Old Dominion News

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its weekly update on highway construction and maintenance in southwestern Virginia. The update, covering the period from March 31 to April 6, 2025, provides motorists with detailed information on various projects and traffic advisories in the region. Travelers are advised to check real-time traffic information by calling VDOT's 511 or visiting the official website.

Interstate 81 in Washington County is undergoing widening work between exits 10 and 7 southbound, with similar work on the northbound side near exit 7. Smyth and Washington counties are seeing the addition of truck climbing lanes on I-81. Bristol is managing a project to expand Route 11 and the I-81 ramps at exit 5. A deceleration lane on I-81 at exit 81, located in Wythe County, is being extended, while an auxiliary lane is being added between exits 73 and 72. Also in Wythe County, I-77 is undergoing road improvements and bridge replacement.

In Bland County, bridge work on I-77 continues at exits 62 and 54.2, with lane closures expected. A new truck climbing lane is under construction on I-77 northbound between mile markers 30.6 and 32.

Maintenance activities on Interstates 81 and 77 include pothole patching in Washington, Smyth, Wythe, Bland counties, and tunnel washing in Bland County.

On major highways and secondary roads, new bridge construction on Route 646 in Buchanan County is about to begin, and Route 632 remains closed due to roadway relocation related to a coal plant expansion. Various phases of the Route 460/121 Poplar Creek project are progressing in Buchanan County. In Dickenson County, a bridge replacement on Route 63 continues in the Town of Haysi. Several improvement projects are active in Scott, Smyth, and Tazewell counties, with a focus on intersections, roundabouts, and bridge replacements. Noteworthy projects include the Front Street bridge replacement in Richlands and traffic pattern changes on Route 460 at Grundy.

The Route 58 washout in Washington County still necessitates road closure, and Wise County is seeing intersection safety enhancements near the Indian Mountain Trade Center. In Wythe County, the Progress Park Connector project and bridge work on Route 619 are in progress. The Route 671 bridge has restricted lane usage and a weight limit in place before its scheduled replacement in October 2026.

The updates delivered by VDOT aim to aid motorists in navigating these construction areas safely. "When traveling through highway work zones, use caution and be alert to changes in traffic patterns and slow-moving or stopped traffic," VDOT advises.