Motorists in southwestern Virginia are advised to expect ongoing construction and maintenance projects on major highways and secondary roads, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). The department provides weekly updates to help drivers navigate work zones safely and stay informed about traffic pattern changes.
Drivers can access real-time traffic information by calling VDOT’s 511 service or visiting https://511.vdot.virginia.gov.
Interstate 81 is undergoing several projects, including the extension of the deceleration lane at exit 45 in Smyth County, scheduled for completion in December 2027. In Washington County, widening work continues southbound between exits 10 and 7, as well as northbound from exit 7 for about a mile, with expected completion in spring 2026. The City of Bristol is working on widening Route 11 and off-ramps at exit 5 to improve traffic flow and safety; this project will include intersection upgrades and improved signals, aiming for completion by May 2026.
Other I-81 improvements include constructing an auxiliary lane southbound between exits 73 and 72 in Wythe County (completion: fall 2026) and routine maintenance activities such as daytime pothole patching operations between various mile markers in Washington, Smyth, and Wythe counties. Super loads will travel northbound from Bristol toward Rockbridge County throughout March.
On Interstate 77 in Wythe County, a truck climbing lane is under construction northbound from mile marker 30.6 to exit 32 with completion targeted for June 2026. Maintenance includes pothole patching from exit 24 to the state line and nighttime tunnel work at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel and East River Mountain Tunnel in Bland County. Wide loads over twelve feet must stop before entering these tunnels during maintenance periods.
Several primary highways are also affected:
– In Bland County, Route 608 (Skydusky Road) remains closed for bridge superstructure replacement until August 2026.
– Buchanan County motorists should note a new traffic pattern on Route 460 near Grundy due to Poplar Creek Phase B construction.
– Dickenson County has multiple projects underway: roundabout construction at Route 83/637 (completion: October 2026), repairs on the Route 619 bridge over Pound River using temporary signals (completion: June 2026), and replacement of the Route 63 bridge in Haysi with one-way traffic control through April 2026.
– Russell County’s Route19 safety improvements involve lane closures near Rosedale with an eleven-foot width restriction until November next year.
– Scott County’s intersection project at Routes23/58 includes new turn lanes and signal support adjustments; periodic changes may affect traffic through June next year.
– In Smyth County, a roundabout is being built on Route11 at Adwolfe Road with completion set for July2027.
– Tazewell County sees several ongoing efforts: intersection improvements along Routes19/460/610 around Claypool Hill (completion: December2026), replacement of the Route61 bridge over Cove Creek causing width restrictions (through September2026), and Front Street bridge replacement over Clinch River in Richlands—detours are posted while the current bridge remains closed until April next year.
– Washington County’s Thompson Drive/Stanley Street roundabout project continues into September2027.
– In Wythe County, construction progresses on a connector road linking Nye Road to E. Lee Trinkle Road serving Progress Park industrial site; part of Lover’s Lane stays closed during this work alongside interchange improvements at I-77 exit41 through November next year.
VDOT operates one of the largest state highway systems nationwide—building, maintaining, and managing tens of thousands of lane-miles across Virginia—and oversees planning, construction, land-use permits along state routes as well as services like highway maintenance and real-time traffic management via Virginia511 (official website). Its headquarters are located at1221 East Broad Street in Richmond (official website).
“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’s511 or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov for real-time traffic information.”
Entries marked “(NEW)” or “(UPDATE)” indicate revisions from previous reports.