The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its weekly update on highway construction and maintenance projects for southwestern Virginia, covering the period from January 12 to 18, 2026. The department advises motorists to exercise caution when traveling through work zones and remain alert to changing traffic patterns as well as slow-moving or stopped traffic.
To help drivers plan their routes, VDOT encourages the use of its 511 system or the website https://511.vdot.virginia.gov for real-time updates on road conditions and traffic information. According to the official website, VDOT is responsible for planning, building, and maintaining Virginia’s roads, bridges, and tunnels. It manages one of the largest state-maintained highway systems in the country and provides services such as traffic management and public access to road condition data through platforms like Virginia 511. More details about these services can be found at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov.
Several major interstate projects are ongoing in the region:
– Interstate 81 is being widened southbound between exits 10 and 7 in Washington County, with northbound improvements from exit 7 extending approximately one mile northward. Completion is expected by spring 2026.
– At exit 5 in Bristol, Route 11 and I-81 off ramps are being widened to improve traffic flow and safety; this project includes intersection upgrades with a target completion date of May 2026.
– In Wythe County on I-81 southbound between exits 73 and 72, an auxiliary lane is under construction with periodic lane closures anticipated until fall 2026.
– Construction continues on a truck climbing lane on I-77 northbound from mile marker 30.6 to exit 32 in Wythe County; completion is projected for June 2026.
VDOT reports several maintenance activities that will require lane closures:
On Interstate 81:
– A super load will travel northbound from Bristol to mile marker 110 in Montgomery County between January 12–16.
– Another super load will travel northbound from Bristol to the Virginia/West Virginia state line January 12–17.
– A third super load moves southbound from the West Virginia state line back to Bristol during those same dates.
On Interstate 77:
– Nighttime tunnel maintenance occurs southbound at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel in Bland County.
– Nighttime bridge deck repairs are scheduled both northbound (near mile markers including exits at Bland County) and southbound near mile marker 67.
– A super load travels southbound from the West Virginia line to North Carolina line January 12–17.
Primary highways across multiple counties also have significant projects underway:
In Bland County:
Route 608 (Skydusky Road) remains closed for bridge replacement until August 2026.
In Buchanan County:
A new traffic pattern affects Route 460 at Grundy due to Poplar Creek Phase B construction.
In Dickenson County:
A roundabout project at Route 83/637 has closed a right turn lane on Route 637; completion is slated for October 2026. Repairs continue on bridges along Routes 619 (Skeetrock Road) over Pound River (June 2026) and Route 63 in Haysi (April 2026), both using temporary signals for one-way traffic control.
Russell County’s Route 19 sees ongoing safety improvements with lane closures near Rosedale until November 2026.
Scott County’s intersection improvement project at Route23/58 Duffield involves new signal supports and additional turning lanes; daytime delays may occur during signal installation January13–14. This project concludes June 2026.
Tazewell County features two key bridge replacements: Route61 over Cove Creek—with width restrictions—and Front Street over Clinch River in Richlands which requires detours via local streets; both complete by September or April next year respectively.
Wythe County’s Progress Park Connector/I‑77 Exit41 involves building a direct link between Nye Road/E.Lee Trinkle Road toward Progress Park industrial site—requiring closure of part of Lover’s Lane since spring—and continued interchange improvements through November 2026.
VDOT serves as a state agency overseeing transportation infrastructure across tens of thousands of lane-miles throughout Virginia (https://www.vdot.virginia.gov). Its responsibilities include highway maintenance, management of real-time road data systems like Virginia 511, issuing land-use permits along state routes, as well as long-term planning dating back to its origins with the State Highway Commission established in 1906 (https://www.vdot.virginia.gov).
“To help motorists take the guesswork out of travel plans, call VDOT’s 511 or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov for real-time traffic information.”
“When traveling through highway work zones, use caution and be alert to changes in traffic patterns and slow-moving or stopped traffic.”