The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its weekly update on highway construction and maintenance projects in southwestern Virginia for the week of September 15 to 21, 2025. The department encourages motorists to remain cautious in work zones and be aware of changing traffic patterns and slow-moving or stopped vehicles.
For real-time updates on road conditions, VDOT advises drivers to call 511 or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov.
Several major projects are ongoing along Interstate 81. In Washington County, widening efforts continue southbound between exits 10 and 7, as well as northbound from exit 7 for about one mile. This project is scheduled for completion in November 2025. At exit 5 in Bristol, the City of Bristol is working on widening Route 11 and both I-81 off-ramps, with improvements to intersections and traffic signals planned through May 2026.
In Wythe County, the extension of the deceleration lane at exit 81 is underway with a target completion date of October 2025. Another project involves constructing an auxiliary lane southbound between exits 73 and 72, expected to finish by fall of 2026.
Interstate maintenance activities this week include nighttime paving operations southbound between mile markers 51 and 48 in Smyth County. Additionally, a super load will travel northbound from Bristol to the Virginia/West Virginia state line from September 15–20. On Interstate 77 in Bland County, tunnel washing at East River Mountain Tunnel will affect wide loads over twelve feet.
On primary highways and high-traffic secondary roads across several counties:
– In Bland County, Route 608 (Skydusky Road) remains closed for bridge superstructure replacement until August 2026.
– Buchanan County continues bridge construction on Route 646 (Guesses Fork Road) over Left Fork through October next year.
– The Poplar Creek Phase A project on Route 460/121 has altered access routes for local roads near Grundy.
– Dickenson County’s Route 619 (Skeetrock Road) bridge repairs involve temporary signals controlling one-way traffic until November next year; Route 63 bridge replacement in Haysi uses similar controls through April 2026.
– Scott County’s repair work on a sinkhole along Route 72 introduces one-way traffic controlled by signals until September 19; other intersection improvement projects are also underway with various completion dates extending into June 2026.
– In Tazewell County, the Route 61 bridge replacement over Cove Creek imposes width restrictions during construction until September 2026; meanwhile, Front Street bridge replacement over Clinch River requires detours via local streets until April 2026.
– Wise County begins improvements this month on the Route 613 (East Stone Gap Road) bridge near Clinch Haven Road.
– Wythe County sees ongoing work on a new connector road linking Nye Road with E. Lee Trinkle Road for direct access to Progress Park industrial site; related closures affect Lover’s Lane and improvements continue at I‑77 exit 41 through November 2026.
Motorists are urged to watch for signs, message boards, flaggers, detour information, and possible changes in traffic patterns throughout these areas as construction progresses.
“BRISTOL – In an effort to keep motorists informed, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provides weekly information about highway construction and maintenance projects in southwestern Virginia. When traveling through highway work zones, use caution and be alert to changes in traffic patterns and slow-moving or stopped traffic.”
“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.”
Entries marked “NEW” or “UPDATE” reflect recent changes since last week’s report.
