Branch Highways, contractor for the Route 58 widening project in Carroll, Floyd and Patrick Counties, plans to complete work by early fall.
Branch is under contract with VDOT to widen 58 into a modern, four-lane divided highway between Stuart and Hillsville. The contract for the 8.2 mile Laurel Fork section is approximately $120 million. This is the fifth construction season for the Laurel Fork project. Because of weather conditions, crews can work from May through October.
“The majority of the work is done,” said Pete Copes, general superintendent for Branch Highways. “The completion of the Laurel Fork section will mean three finished segments of Super 58 between Stuart and Hillsville.”
The main tasks this spring and summer are surface paving the highway and side roads, finishing some driveways and final striping, in addition to cleaning some storm water basins and installing some guard rail.
Copes said Branch will communicate with property owners before paving their driveways. “We will coordinate with property owners so that paving will be done at a time convenient for them.”
There will be some detours that may result in some traffic delays, Copes said. “We appreciate the patience of the motoring public and understand that everyone will be happy when the project is completed.”
Copes credited the contributions of key subcontractors: Steve Martin’s Trenching of Martinsville, D.L. Harrell Construction of Meadows of Dan, Sandra’s Marking Company of Buchanan, Adams Construction of Roanoke with a plant in Sylvatus, Gregory Seeding and Landscape of Pulaski, Wright Brothers of Charleston, Tenn., and Nickelston Industries of Lawsonville, N.C.
“These companies and Branch have employed hundreds of workers who live in Carroll, Floyd and Patrick Counties,” added Copes.
“Branch is proud to work with VDOT on this project,” said Copes. “We understand the benefit it will bring to this area, both in safe transportation and economic development.”
The Laurel Fork segment is the third phase of the Route 58 corridor project built under a comprehensive agreement between VDOT and Branch Highways to widen the 36 miles from Stuart to Hillsville. The first segment, a three-mile Blue Ridge Parkway crossing at Meadows of Dan, was completed in 2006. The second segment, the 5.2 mile Hillsville bypass, was finished in 2011.
Additional segments will be started when funding becomes available.
