The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its weekly update on construction and maintenance projects affecting major highways and roads in southwestern Virginia for the week of August 4 to 10, 2025. The information aims to help drivers plan ahead and stay informed about work zones, lane closures, detours, and possible delays.
VDOT advises motorists to exercise caution when traveling through work areas and to be alert for changes in traffic patterns. For up-to-date travel information, drivers are encouraged to use VDOT’s 511 phone service or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov.
Key interstate projects include the ongoing widening of I-81 southbound between exits 10 and 7 in Washington County with expected completion in November 2025. In Bristol, improvements at exit 5 involve widening a portion of Route 11 and the I-81 ramps; these upgrades will enhance traffic flow and safety by May 2026. Other notable efforts along I-81 in Wythe County involve extending a deceleration lane at exit 81 (finishing October 2025) and constructing an auxiliary lane southbound between exits 73 and 72 (to finish fall 2026).
On Interstate 77, bridge replacement work is underway northbound at exit 62 over Route 606 in Bland County with completion scheduled for late next year. Construction also continues on a truck climbing lane from mile marker 30.6 to exit 32 northbound in Wythe County, expected to conclude by June 2026.
A new project beginning this month focuses on ventilation improvements inside the Big Walker Mountain Tunnel on I-77 between mile markers 47 and 49 in Bland County. From August 10–29, overnight delays are anticipated as one tube will carry both directions of escorted traffic while work takes place.
Maintenance activities across Interstates 81 and 77 include rest area paving, nighttime bridge repairs at various locations, brush removal near Abingdon on I-81, super load transport from Bristol to the West Virginia state line August 4–9, tunnel rinsing operations that restrict wide loads over twelve feet on I-77 tunnels, as well as periodic paving projects throughout Bland County.
Projects on primary highways feature bridge construction over Left Fork on Route 646 (Guesses Fork Road) in Buchanan County (finishing October 2025), continued progress on Poplar Creek Phases A & B impacting Route 460/121 access routes around Grundy, plus bridge repairs using temporary signals along Skeetrock Road (Route 619) over Pound River in Dickenson County (completion November 2025).
Other highlighted efforts include replacing bridges—such as those along Route 63 in Haysi (April 2026), Route 61 over Cove Creek with new width restrictions beginning August 4 during construction (September 2026), Front Street over Clinch River currently closed with detours set up in Richlands until April 2026—and intersection safety improvements like turn lanes added at key points along Routes 23/58 near Duffield or Carriage Lane near Indian Mountain Trade Center.
Wythe County sees major infrastructure investments too: a connector road linking Nye Road to E. Lee Trinkle Road provides better access for Progress Park’s industrial site while sections of Lover’s Lane remain closed during construction through November 2026; meanwhile Crigger Road Bridge faces reduced capacity ahead of full replacement slated for October 2026.
Motorists are urged to heed posted signs, message boards, flaggers’ instructions where applicable—and expect occasional changes or delays as crews continue these projects across southwestern Virginia highways.
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