Warmer temperatures herald a host of road projects that may impact travelers in various parts of the county.
According to the Salem District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), current projects may include:
*Construction is underway in the Lover’s Leap area of U.S. 58. Flagging operations for the geotechnical borings to are currently being performed, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
* Mid-Atlantic Broadband will be working to replace fiber in a three mile stretch of U.S. 58 between Virginia 765 (Rhody Creek Loop) and Virginia 680 (South Mayo Drive). Drivers should expect inside lane and shoulder closures through this area. Work is expected to be completed in mid-April 2021.
* Virginia 57 Utility Work – Intermittent work will be performed by contractors for Comcast along Virginia 57 from Virginia 8 to Virginia 701. This is expected to be a 90-day installation project. Motorists may experience periodic lane and/or shoulder closures.
VDOT also performs the following activities as part of routine maintenance on roadways throughout the district.
* Paving Operations – Weather permitting, crews will pave, patch and repair pavement on various routes. Lane closures may be in place and flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
* Pavement Markings – Pavement marking operations will be performed district wide, in various counties on secondary routes. These will be mobile operations with lane closures, as they proceed through each county. Motorists should use caution and follow mobile signs for direction.
* Ditching, grading, slope and shoulder repairs – Lane closures may be in place during daylight hours for shoulder repairs. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
* Pipe Replacements – Crews will be working on various secondary roads to replace pipes under the roadway with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
* Drainage Maintenance – Crews will be working on various secondary roads where drainage issues are present with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
* Mowing, tree trimming and brush removal – Crews will mow on secondary routes during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for lane and/or shoulder closures.
* Unpaved road maintenance – Crews will be working on various secondary non-hard surface roads grading and replacing stone with periodic lane closures during daylight hours on weekdays. Watch for flaggers controlling traffic.
* Guardrail repairs – Lane closures may be in place for guardrail repairs at various locations. Work will be performed during daytime hours from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
VDOT now offers coverage of tracking paving progress statewide, which allows community members and stakeholders to view specific locations slated for paving and individual details of each project. Paving season typically extends from April to November and the map is updated weekly to detail exactly where paving projects are planned, ongoing and show how they’re to give residents and travelers a tool to use to best plan for travel and stay safe near these work zones. Drivers can get specific information about the status of paving projects at the Virginia Roads Paving Map or www.virginiaroads.org.
To submit a work order request for road repairs or assistance, contact our customer service center at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or submit online at www.virginiadot.org.
The Salem District covers Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, and Roanoke.
