The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has released its weekly update on highway construction and maintenance projects in southwestern Virginia, covering the period from December 29 to January 11, 2025. The agency advises motorists to use caution when traveling through work zones due to potential changes in traffic patterns and the presence of slow-moving or stopped vehicles.
For real-time traffic information, VDOT recommends that travelers call 511 or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov.
Current interstate projects include widening I-81 southbound between exits 10 and 7 in Washington County, with completion expected in spring 2026. In Bristol, Route 11 and the I-81 off ramps at exit 5 are being widened to improve traffic flow and safety, with work scheduled through May 2026. Wythe County is seeing construction of an auxiliary lane on I-81 southbound between exits 73 and 72 (completion: fall 2026), as well as a truck climbing lane on I-77 northbound from mile marker 30.6 to exit 32 (completion: June 2026).
Maintenance activities will affect both interstates during this period. A super load will travel northbound on I-81 from Bristol to the Virginia/West Virginia state line between December 29 and January 1; no other closures are planned for I-77 at this time.
On primary highways and high-traffic secondary roads, several bridge replacements and road improvements are ongoing:
In Bland County, Route 608 (Skydusky Road) remains closed for a bridge superstructure replacement until August 2026.
Buchanan County’s Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B project has introduced a new traffic pattern near Grundy.
Dickenson County is undergoing repairs on the Route 619 (Skeetrock Road) bridge over Pound River using temporary signals for one-way traffic; Route 63 bridge replacement in Haysi also uses temporary signals.
Russell County will begin safety improvements January 5 on Route 19 northbound near Rosedale, with lane closures starting west of Route 80 until November 2026.
Scott County’s intersection improvement at Routes 23/58 includes signal relocation and additional turn lanes.
Tazewell County has ongoing replacement of the Route 61 bridge over Cove Creek with width restrictions and one-way traffic controls until September 2026; Front Street bridge replacement over Clinch River continues with detours posted.
Wythe County’s Progress Park Connector/I-77 Exit 41 project involves building a new connector road serving Progress Park industrial site. Part of Lover’s Lane remains closed during construction expected through November 2026. Replacement of the Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge is scheduled to start October 2026 but currently operates under weight restrictions.
VDOT reports that rehabilitation work on I-81 southbound near exit 3 in Bristol has been completed.
As outlined by its official website, VDOT is responsible for planning, building, maintaining, and operating Virginia’s transportation infrastructure including roads, bridges, and tunnels statewide. The agency manages one of the largest state-maintained highway systems in the country—covering tens of thousands of lane-miles—and provides services such as highway maintenance, real-time public access to road conditions via tools like Virginia 511, as well as oversight for land-use permits along state routes.