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

DATE: SUNDAY, April 3, 1994                   TAG: 9404030018
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: D-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

ROADWATCH

Cleanup from the winter storms continues. Motorists should be alert for mobile crews clearing brush and patching potholes. Watch for orange cones and barrels, signs and flaggers. Use extreme caution when approaching a work zone.

\ BEDFORD COUNTY

Virginia 43: The weight limit for the bridge about six miles from the Blue Ridge Parkway has been lowered from 14 tons to 10 tons while repairs are made. Signs are posted.

U.S. 221: The road is being widened from two lanes to five in Forest from Graves Mill Road into Lynchburg. Construction should be completed this summer.

\ BOTETOURT COUNTY

Alternate U.S. 220: The final 1.8 miles are being expanded to a four-lane divided highway, ending at U.S. 460 in Roanoke County. Be alert for signs and flaggers. Temporary delays may occur. Work should be completed in spring 1995.

U.S. 220: A 1.4-mile section south of the new bridge near Iron Gate is under construction to eliminate a sharp curve. Work runs from 0.3 miles north of Virginia 696 to 0.2 miles south of the CSX Railroad tracks. Work should be completed in the fall.

Virginia 654 (Read Mountain Road): In the Cloverdale area, 1.8 miles are being widened from east of U.S. 11 to Alternate U.S. 220. Use caution and watch for signs and flaggers. Work will continue until spring 1995.

Virginia 605: In Cloverdale, about 1.4 miles are being rebuilt from Virginia 601 in Roanoke County to Virginia 654 in Botetourt County. A one-lane bridge will be replaced with a box culvert.

Virginia 642: Near Buchanan, 2.2 miles are being rebuilt from U.S. 11 to Virginia 638. Work will continue until late spring.

U.S. 11: The bridge at Buchanan over the James River and CSX Railroad is under repair with traffic reduced to one lane.

\ FRANKLIN COUNTY

Virginia 220: The southbound bridges at the intersection with Virginia 40 near Rocky Mount are being repaired. Starting Monday, traffic will be restricted to one lane. Vehicles wider than 9 feet are prohibited. Repairs will take about three months.\ \ GILES COUNTY

U.S. 460: The westbound lane between Narrows and Rich Creek is closed for repair of a retaining wall. Vehicles wider than 10 feet are prohibited. Work should be completed in a few months.

U.S. 460 and 100: The traffic signal at the intersection near the Pearisburg courthouse is being replaced. Work should be completed in mid-April.

U.S. 460 and 61: The traffic signal is working but crews are cleaning up in the area. Work will be completed in two weeks.\ \ HENRY COUNTY

U.S. 58: The 3.3 miles from Horsepasture to Spencer are being widened to four lanes. Construction will continue through the fall.\ \ MONTGOMERY/PULASKI COUNTY LINE

Virginia 232: The bridge over I-81 at exit 105 is closed for repairs. Northbound motorists cannot enter or exit I-81. Use exit 109 to Radford. Work will continue through the spring.\ \ ROANOKE

Fifth Street: The Fifth Street bridge is closed due to construction of a new bridge between Salem and Gilmer avenues. Work should be completed by the summer.

Wells Avenue: Demolition work along the north side between Williamson Road and Jefferson Street will cause delays. Work should be completed around June 1.

\ ROANOKE COUNTY

U.S. 11/460: The road is being widened from Harborwood Road to the Blue Jay Motel, near Dixie Caverns.

Hunting Hills subdivision improvements: Buckhorn Road, Crossbow Circle, Chukar Drive, Archer Drive, Red Stag Road, Elk Hill Drive and Flintlock Road are getting new drainage facilities and surfaces and are being graded to enhance sight distances.

U.S. 11/460: At the Montgomery County line, the bridge over the Roanoke River and Norfolk Southern tracks is under repair. Two-way traffic is using the westbound lane while repairs are made on the eastbound side. Speed limit is reduced to 45 mph. Vehicles wider than 9 feet are prohibited.

Virginia 419: The intersections with Colonial Avenue and Keagy Road are being changed for better traffic flow.

Virginia 615: The bridge on Starlight Lane over Back Creek is being replaced. A temporary bridge will be used during construction. Minimal delays are expected. Completion is expected in late summer.