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

DATE: SUNDAY, November 5, 1995                   TAG: 9511060068
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROADWATCH

Here are highway and street projects scheduled this week by the Virginia Department of Transportation and area localities. Schedules are subject to change because of weather and contractors' scheduling. #indicates new information.

BEDFORD COUNTY

Virginia 707: Construction is under way to widen and pave Virginia 707 between Virginia 24 and Virginia 43.

U.S. 460: Paving is under way at various locations in the westbound lanes between New London and Bedford.

BOTETOURT COUNTY

Interstate 81: The highway is under construction from milepost 147 (Roanoke County/Botetourt County line) to milepost 162 (south of Buchanan). Reduced speed limit of 55 mph is strictly enforced. Various lane closings will be in effect in the northbound and southbound lanes.

Northbound and southbound traffic will be reduced to one lane throughout the week.

For information, northbound motorists can tune to 1610 AM, and southbound motorists can tune to 530 AM.

CARROLL COUNTY

Virginia 722: Construction of a drain has begun at the Cranberry River. Drivers may use Virginia 887 as an alternate.

Virginia 823: Construction of a drain has begun over Elk Spur Branch. Drivers may use Virginia 691 and Virginia 679 as alternates.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

#U.S. 220: A left-turn lane is being added for Virginia T1611. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph.

Virginia 632: The road is under construction to Virginia 717, and new surface treatment will be applied after reconstruction. Work will last until December.

Virginia 832: The road is under construction between Virginia 40 and 707. Surface treatment will be applied. Work will last until December.

Virginia 850: The road is under construction from Virginia 643 to its end, road is being reconstructed, a new bridge installed and surface treatment will be applied.

Virginia 853: The road is under construction from Virginia 864 to its end, and new surface treatment will be applied. Work will last until December.

HENRY COUNTY

U.S. 58: The 4.6-mile stretch from Virginia 684 to Spencer is being widened to four lanes. Traffic has been shifted to the new lanes while a bridge is rebuilt. The speed limit is reduced to 45 mph.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Virginia 177: Work is under way to add southbound lanes from I-81 to Radford.

Virginia 685: Work is under way to widen and straighten Prices Fork Road near Blacksburg.

ROANOKE and ROANOKE COUNTY

#Second Street (Gainsboro Road): Work has begun to widen Second Street from Salem Avenue north to Orange Avenue. A bridge will be built over the Norfolk Southern tracks near the existing grade crossing. Salem Avenue will be closed from the middle of the block between First and Second streets to Third Street. A connection between Salem Avenue and Norfolk Avenue will be built. Norfolk Avenue will be closed to through traffic crossing Second Street. Detour signs will be posted. Completion is expected in summer 1997.

#Williamson Road: The bridge over Boxley Creek at the intersection of Virginia 623 (Dent Road) will be closed for repairs Wednesday at 7 p.m. through Thursday morning. Detour signs will be posted. The rain date will be Thursday.

Peters Creek Road: The first section from Melrose Avenue to Shenandoah Avenue is under construction. Intersections at Melrose Avenue, Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue will be reworked. Work is being done along Salem Turnpike and Shenandoah Avenue, and drivers should use caution.

U.S. 11: Williamson Road is being widened from Plantation Road one mile north. One lane is open in each direction. The middle, or left-turn, lane has been deleted; a new traffic pattern is in place. The Hollins College entrance and LaMarre Drive are being realigned, and a new signal is being installed.

Interstate 81: The bridges over Mason Creek between exits 140 (Virginia 311) and 141 (Virginia 419) are being replaced. The southbound on-ramp from exit 141 (Virginia 419) will be closed for two years. Motorists can use Virginia 311 to exit 140 to travel south. Speed will be reduced to 55 mph.

Ninth Street Southeast: The river bridge will be closed until Jan. 15 for repairs.

ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY

#Interstate 81: Construction begins on a ramp extension project from the Augusta County line to the Botetourt County line. Northbound traffic may be reduced to one lane.

I-81: The southbound ramp at exit 180A (Natural Bridge/Glasgow) will be closed for about 45 days because of repairs to the I-81 bridge over U.S. 11. Motorists are advised to use exit 180B to proceed onto U.S. 11.

by CNB