Prompted by the upcoming annual Hillsville Flea Market and Gun Show, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) issued a travel advisory, alerting motorists heading to Hillsville during Labor Day weekend to prepare for considerable traffic delays.
The flea market event will be held Friday, September 1 through Monday, September 4.
Travelers not attending the flea market and gun show are encouraged to avoid the area altogether, the release stated.
Thousands of visitors are expected to converge on a one-mile section of U.S. 58 Business in Hillsville. As a result, sidewalks will be crowded with pedestrians and bumper-to-bumper traffic will be moving at a crawl throughout the area.
Drivers should use extra caution, watch for police directing traffic and pay attention to electronic message boards in the area.
In the release, VDOT also encouraged those planning to attend the event:
*Via Interstate 77 to use Exit 14 (Hillsville/Galax) onto U.S. 58 Business. Congestion is expected on I-77 in this area and police may be directing traffic at the Exit 14 and U.S. 58 Business interchange to promote safe travel. Motorists are cautioned to watch for stopped vehicles in this area.
*Via U.S. 58 Bypass, western interchange with U.S. 58 Business
Motorists using U.S. 58 Bypass’ western interchange to exit onto U.S. 58 Business should use extreme caution and watch for heavy traffic congestion.
Those not attending the event and traveling westbound on the bypass should use the left lane to avoid exiting vehicles. Drivers are advised not to park on the U.S. 58 Bypass or on the ramps onto U.S. 58 Business. “No Parking” signs will be posted around the interchange.
*Via Virginia/NC 52
Virginia 52 event traffic can use Route T-780 (Howlett Street) or Route T-1020 (West Grayson Street). Northbound Virginia 52 traffic will not be permitted to turn left onto westbound U.S. 58 Business. Southbound route of Virginia 52 traffic will not be allowed to make right-on-red turns at the traffic signal onto westbound U.S. 58 Business.
*West Grayson Street
No left turns will be permitted from Route T-1020 (West Grayson Street) onto eastbound U.S. 58 Business.
