
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, August 2, 1993                   TAG: 9308020062
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

ROADWATCH

Here's what to watch out for as you travel this week:\ \ ROANOKE\ Fifth Street Bridge. Construction will begin today on a four-lane concrete structure to replace the two-lane, timber and steel bridge. The bridge will be closed for eight months, beginning Aug. 9. Motorists can use the First Street bridge, Second Street railroad crossing and the 10th Street bridge as alternate routes.

\ Elm Avenue and Interstate 581 interchange. Repairs to the Elm Avenue bridge over I-581 have started. The contractor is doing the work at night and on weekends to avoid major traffic hassles on weekdays. One lane is kept open in each direction on Elm Avenue while the contractor is working.

Motorists using the Roy Webber Highway are advised to use other exits. The work will be finished in about a month.\ \ BEDFORD COUNTY\ U.S. 221 in Forest. Construction continues as the road is widened from two lanes to five. Drivers are using part of the new road. A stoplight at Enterprise Road is not in use, so drivers should be alert for stop signs.\ \ NEW RIVER VALLEY\ Parts of the U.S. 460 bypass around Blacksburg will be restricted to motor coach traffic part of the day today. Other vehicles will be detoured through downtown Blacksburg on U.S. 460 Business.

Traffic from the motor coach convention at Virginia Tech Tuesday through Thursday could cause backups on Interstates 81 and 77 as well.

by CNB