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 with (NEW) or (UPDATE) indicate revisions from last week’s report.
Interstate projects
Interstate 81 – Exit 50 and mile marker 52 bridge rehabilitations (Smyth County)
A project that includes bridge rehabilitation work on six bridges northbound and southbound at Exit 50 and mile marker 52 in Smyth County is underway. Be alert to construction crews in the area. Nighttime lane closures will be in place for the duration of the project. Also, be alert to flaggers and lane closures on Kiawana Road and Nick’s Creek Road. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: November 2027)
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Interstate 81 – Exit 45 deceleration lane extension (Smyth County)
A project to extend the deceleration lane at Exit 45 northbound in the Marion area of Smyth County is underway. The project includes replacing the northbound I-81 bridge over Matson Drive. Be alert to periodic nighttime lane closures and shifted traffic over Matson Drive. (Completion: December 2027)
Interstate 81 – Bridge rehabilitation at mile marker 68 (Wythe County)
Due to a bridge rehabilitation project on I-81 northbound and southbound over Reed Creek at mile marker 68 in Wythe County, be alert to periodic extended lane closures and a width restriction of 14 feet. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: September 2027)
Interstate 81/77 interchange at Wytheville
Due to improvements on I-81 and I-77 at the interchange at Wytheville, pay close attention to signs and message boards. Be alert to possible lane restrictions and traffic shifts. (Completion: Summer 2027)
(UPDATE) Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities
Be alert to the following lane closures due to interstate maintenance activities:
Interstate 81
- Nighttime bridge repairs northbound near mile markers 46 and 49 in Smyth County.
- Nighttime paving operations northbound between mile markers 34 and 38 in Smyth County.
- Nighttime bridge repairs southbound near Exit 35 in Smyth County.
- Nighttime bridge repairs northbound near Exit 29 in Washington County.
- Nighttime pothole patching operations from the Tennessee state line to mile marker 27 in Washington County.
- Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound between mile marker 69 and Exit 67 in Wythe County.
- Nighttime traffic engineering work southbound between mile markers 79 and 76 in Wythe County.
- Nighttime bridge replacement activities northbound near Exit 45 in Smyth County.
- A super load will be traveling northbound and southbound between Bristol and the West Virginia state line the week of September 14.
Interstate 77
- Nighttime bridge approach repairs northbound and southbound between mile markers 43 and 46 in Bland County.
- Nighttime tunnel maintenance northbound and southbound at East River Mountain Tunnel in Bland County. All wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnels.
Primary highways and high-traffic secondary roads
Bland County
Route 52 intersection improvements
An intersection improvement project is underway on Route 52 in Bland County at Indian Village Trail and Grapefield Road. Be alert to construction crews mobilizing in the area. Traffic pattern changes will take place throughout the duration of the project. (Completion: August 2028)
Buchanan County
Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B
Be alert to a new traffic pattern on Route 460 at Grundy due to the construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B. The switch is approximately 1.1 miles west of the Route 460/Route 83 (Riverside Drive/Edgewater Drive) intersection in Grundy. Motorists should be alert to flaggers in the area. (Completion: Late 2027)
Dickenson County
Route 83 roundabout at Route 637
Construction continues for a roundabout and a new park-and-ride lot at the intersection of Route 83 and Route 637 in Dickenson County. Be alert to lane shifts and closures. Pay attention to flaggers, signs, and message boards in the area. (Completion: October 2026)
Russell County
Route 19 safety improvements
Safety improvements are underway on Route 19 northbound in the Rosedale area of Russell County. Lane closures will be in place starting 0.8 miles west of Route 80. The right lane is restricted to a width of 11 feet. Watch for signs and message boards. (Completion: November 2026)
Scott County
Route 23 road improvements
Work is underway for road improvements on Route 23 between the east connection of Route 23 Business and the west connection of Route 23 Business in the Gate City area of Scott County. Be alert to temporary lane closures. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: December 2026)
Smyth County
McMullin Bridge replacement on Browns Subdivision Road
A bridge replacement project is underway on Browns Subdivision Road, west of the new roundabout in Smyth County. A lane closure will be in place from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Be alert to flaggers in the area and pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: Fall 2027)
Route 11 roundabout at Adwolfe Road
A roundabout project located on Route 11 at Adwolfe Road in Smyth County is underway. Be alert to construction crews in the area. Temporary traffic signals are in place for traffic control. (Completion: July 2027)
Tazewell County
Second Street/Front Street intersection improvement – Richlands
Work is underway on a realignment project on Second Street and Front Street in the town of Richlands, modifying the raised median and island at the intersection of Second Street and Front Street and adding a raised median along Front Street to allow right-turn movements from Kents Ridge Road. A detour will be in place September 8–27. During this time, motorists traveling on Kents Ridge Road and Front Street will use Second Street and Floyd Avenue to access Front Street. Pay attention to signs, message boards, and construction crews in the area. (Completion: November 2026)
Route 19/460 and Route 610 intersection improvements
An intersection improvement project is underway on Route 19/460, from the intersection of Route 19 with Route 460 at Adair Drive to the intersection of Route 19/460 with Route 610 in the Claypool Hill area of Tazewell County. Anticipate shoulder and lane closures in the area. (Completion: December 2026)
Washington County
Route 19 safety improvements
Safety and traffic flow improvements are beginning on Route 19 in Washington County. Work includes the closure of Everett Hagy Road at Route 19 near Black Hollow Road and the construction of a cul-de-sac on Everett Hagy Road. Turn lane and median improvements are also included in the project. Motorists should be alert to lane shifts on Route 19 during this project. Use caution and slow down when traveling through the area. (Completion: June 2027)
Thompson Drive/Stanley Street roundabout
A roundabout project at the intersection of Thompson Drive and Stanley Street in the Abingdon area of Washington County is underway. Be alert to construction crews in the area. (Completion: September 2027)
Wise County
Alternate Route 58 bridge replacement over Norfolk Southern railroad
Be alert to traffic pattern changes on Alternate Route 58 in Wise County due to replacement of the bridge over Norfolk Southern railroad. Traffic traveling west toward Coeburn is using the eastbound lane. Traffic on Route 651 (Bull Hill Road) is not allowed to turn left on eastbound Alternate Route 58. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: December 2028)
Wythe County
Monroe Street/Route 11 realignment
A detour is in place due to a realignment along West Monroe Street and Route 11 in Wytheville. Motorists will use North 10th Street, West Main Street, and North 12th Street to detour. Pay attention to signs and message boards in the area. (Completion: December 2026)
Progress Park connector/I-77 Exit 41
Construction of a new 2.3-mile connector road between Nye Road and E. Lee Trinkle Road is underway, providing a direct connection to Wytheville’s Progress Park industrial site. A 0.3-mile stretch of Lover's Lane is closed and will remain closed for the duration of the project. The closed section of Lover's Lane is located 1.6 miles from Nye Road and 0.5 miles from Peppers Ferry Road. Construction is also ongoing at the I-77 interchange at Exit 41, which includes improvements to the northbound lanes and northbound I-77 off-ramp, Nye Road, and Peppers Ferry Road. Be alert to traffic shifts for Peppers Ferry Road and the new Exit 41 northbound on-ramp. Pay close attention to construction vehicles, work zone signs, and workers in the area. (Completion: November 2027)
Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge
Route 671 (Crigger Road) bridge in Wythe County has been closed due to safety concerns following an inspection. Motorists will use Route 612 (Dry Road) and Route 749 (Cedar Springs Road) to detour approximately eight miles. (Completion: March 2027)
Completed
Interstate 81 – Roadway improvements (Wythe County)
A project to construct an auxiliary lane southbound between Exits 73 and 72 is complete. Be alert to finishing work in the area.
About the district
The Bristol District encompasses more than 7,400 miles of roadway across 12 counties—Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe—and the cities of Bristol and Norton.
