Representatives with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) provided an update on the Vesta section of the U.S. 58 widening project during a June 23 informational meeting attended by more than 100 residents at Meadows of Dan Elementary School.
According to VDOT, the $165 million project will widen a 4.3-mile section of U.S. 58 beginning about 0.10 miles west of Virginia 795 (Mabry Mill Road) and ending about 0.51 miles east of Virginia 610 (Cloudbreak Road).
Construction is expected to begin in summer or fall 2026 and conclude in summer 2031.
VDOT Salem District spokeswoman Jenna Zibton said the meeting was intended to help residents understand potential traffic impacts, noise and detours associated with the project.
“They started working already, so work will continue ramping up until it concludes in summer of 2031,” Zibton said.
Zibton said VDOT is excited to work on the Vesta section because it is one of only two remaining projects needed to complete a four-lane U.S. 58 corridor from Virginia Beach to Interstate 77. The other remaining project is in the Crooked Oak area.
“It’s past Meadows of Dan on U.S. 58, and that’s just two lanes right now. Eventually once it gets funded…it will be two lanes in each direction,” she said.
In addition to widening the roadway to four lanes, the project will include wider shoulders, improved secondary road connections and private entrances, and intersection improvements.
“The existing Dan River Bridge will be replaced with two new bridge structures. The Dan River Bridge replacement will consist of three phases. Work will begin this summer or fall 2026 and will include performing bridge repairs on the existing bridge,” the video presentation stated.
Traffic will be maintained on the existing bridge while construction is underway.
“A traffic shift will begin summer or fall 2028 and will involve completing the new eastbound Route 58 bridge and shifting two-way traffic from existing to the new bridge. The final configuration in fall 2030 will be to shift traffic to the completed configuration on both Route 58 bridges,” the video stated.
VDOT officials said the right-of-way acquisition process will follow standard agency procedures. KDR Real Estate Services Project Manager Jeff Dykes, who is part of the design team, will send certified letters to affected property owners as the agency works to secure the remaining rights of way needed for the project.
The right-of-way process is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Construction will be divided into four sections, with the first two receiving priority. Section 1 includes Virginia 632 (Dan River Road), while Section 2 includes the Dan River bridges and Old U.S. 58 North connections, also known as Jeb Stuart Highway.
“During construction we will maintain two-way traffic on existing Route 58 as we widen it to four-lanes. The end of section two will tie in with existing Route 58 near Vesta Church Road. Once work is complete, we will shift two-way traffic to the newly constructed eastbound Route 58 roadway,” the video stated.
While traffic continues on the existing roadway in Sections 1 and 2, construction will proceed on the new roadway in Sections 3 and 4, which include the State Shed Road and Cloudbreak Road areas.
“Once work is complete on sections three and four, we will shift two-way traffic onto the newly constructed eastbound 58 roadway. The project will straighten out the roadway, increase sight distance and construct turning lanes for intersections,” the video stated.
Work hours are expected to be Monday through Saturday from about 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., with occasional night work.
U.S. 58 may be reduced to one lane during construction, and flaggers or temporary signals may be used to control traffic. Drivers can expect periodic delays of up to 10 minutes, the video stated.
Temporary periods of increased noise from drilling and blasting are also expected.
According to the presentation, blasting will be limited to 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and traffic may be stopped for up to 20 minutes when blasting or drilling is necessary.
“Drivers should expect loud noises and allow extra travel time. Electronic message boards will be used to inform drivers of scheduled blasting at least 48 hours in advance,” the video stated.
Access to homes, businesses and private property will be maintained throughout construction.
Several detours will be required during the project.
Two detours near old U.S. 58 and Mountain View Drive are expected to be in place for one to three months each, beginning in summer 2029.
A separate detour will affect the State Shed Road area.
“State Shed Road, Route 636, will be closed to through traffic and traffic will be required to follow…the detour to Mountain View Road, Route 767, and Cloudbreak Road, Route 610. The duration of the detour will be one year beginning in summer 2029,” the video stated.
Another detour is expected to begin in summer 2030 and last approximately one to two months.
“During construction of the proposed intersection with Busted Rock Road, Route 610, traffic will be required to follow a short detour…to State Shed Road. The proposed eastbound Route 58 roadway will be completed and opened to traffic prior to implementing this detour,” the video stated.
Residents with questions may contact Triton Construction Manager Michael Daetwyler at Michael.Daetwyler@tritonwv.com or 304-290-8037.
More information is available at vdot.virginia.gov/projects/salem-district/route-58-widening–vesta-in-patrick-county/.
