VDOT Traffic Alerts 7/18

Interstate 81 acceleration ramp extensions at mile marker 94 in Pulaski County and 105 in Montgomery County

(Updated July 17, 2026) Work is underway on the extension of two acceleration lanes on I-81. The first one will be the entrance ramp onto I-81 southbound at mile marker 94, the entrance ramp onto I-81 southbound. The second one will be the entrance ramp onto I-81 northbound at mile marker 105 in Montgomery County. Scheduled completion date for both projects is summer 2026. During construction, drivers can expect:

• Lane closures: Nighttime lane closures northbound and southbound from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., the following morning, Sunday through Thursday.
• Ramp closures: Ramp closures with detours are possible and drivers should watch message boards for updates.
• Shoulder closures throughout the work zone area.
• Slow rolls on I-81 between mile markers 98 and 105 of up to 15 minutes may be in place during nighttime hours.
• Narrowed or shifted ramps during nighttime hours.

Interstate 81 lane widening construction project exit 137 to exit 141

(Updated July 17, 2026) The $179 million design-build project to widen both directions of I-81 between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 from two to three lanes is underway. Work is being performed along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. Barrier wall is in place along the shoulders. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction are expected to remain open during the project with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed. Drivers can expect the following lane closures and upcoming traffic impacts in this area on northbound and southbound I-81:

• Emergency roadwork scheduled on southbound Interstate 81 in Salem and Roanoke County will impact drivers this weekend. Interstate 81 southbound between exit 141 and 140 will be reduced to one lane from Friday, July 17 at 9 p.m. to Sunday, July 19 at 10 a.m. The southbound 141 on-ramp and the southbound exit 140 off-ramp will also be closed as part of the roadwork. An alternate route is available for drivers going southbound by getting off I-81 at exit 141, going left to the roundabout at Route 311, and getting back onto I-81 at exit 140. For drivers who normally use exit 141 on-ramp to get onto southbound I-81, access is available by using exit 140 on-ramp instead. Drivers who typically use the exit 140 off-ramp will need to use the exit 137 or 141 off-ramps. Expect delays and heavy congestion during these closures and use alternate routes.
• Uneven rough pavement: Drivers may experience some uneven pavement and/or rough surface throughout the project.
• Ramp closures: Drivers may see ramp closures for paving of exit 137 and 140 on and off ramps from and onto northbound and southbound I-81 in Salem, 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. Watch message boards for updates on times and dates of occurrence and plan ahead.
• Traffic shifts at I-81 exit 140: Drivers may experience traffic pattern changes, periodic lane closures, narrow ramps, or quick merges into traffic as well as full stops at the bottom of the ramp onto Thompson Memorial Drive from the southbound or northbound exit ramps of exit 140 off of I-81. Periodic work zones located at bottom of the ramp for work on the I-81 bridge at the underpass is also possible.
• Milling and paving: Paving operations will require lane closures northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning.
  • Milling operations are being performed on Route 311, Route 635 and Route 619 as well as on I-81. Flagging operations on Route 635 under the bridge is possible. Paving and marking operations will follow. Expect delays and plan ahead.
• Lane closures: Alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, are possible. Lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet. Nightly lane closures may be in place along the right lane with possible nightly ramp narrows as needed for guardrail and shoulder strengthening.
• Work zone speed: Drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work zone and allow space when following a vehicle. Narrow spacing in lanes due to barrier walls, lack of shoulders and lane shifts in various locations, are present.

The project also includes replacing six bridges, widening two bridges, installing approximately 2.6 miles of sound barrier walls along northbound I-81, improving the southbound exit 137 off-ramp intersection at Wildwood Road and adding interchange lighting at exits 137, 140 and 141. Expected completion in summer 2026.

I-81 northbound at exit 105 New River Bridge replacement in Montgomery County

(Updated July 17, 2026) Work on this project continues with the initial work beginning behind the barrier wall. Then, beginning in May and through September, the barrier wall will be moved, and the existing lanes will be narrowed. In the fall of 2026, I-81 traffic will be shifted into a new pattern at the bridge. Two lanes of traffic will continue to be open in the work zone, but motorists will be traveling on a different portion of roadway on the right side of the bridge.

Throughout construction, two lanes of northbound I-81 will remain open during daytime hours with nighttime closures possible during the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Slow rolls may be performed on I-81 in the north and southbound lanes from mile marker 98 to 109. Speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone. The project is expected to be complete and the bridge in its final configuration with two lanes of Interstate 81 and the right deceleration lane/exit ramp by the end of 2026.

• Lane closures: Nighttime right and left lane closures may be in place on I-81 northbound or southbound between mile marker 98 and 109 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
• Slow rolls: Slow rolls may be utilized periodically on both the northbound and southbound lanes from mile marker 98-109 for structural steel deliveries and setting beams.
• Speed limit: The speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone.

I-81 bridge deck repairs

(Updated June 26, 2026) Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81 between mile markers 170 to 89, right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and work zone areas. Delays are possible.

Floyd County

FloydFest Music Festival 2026 to be held July 22-26

(New July 17, 2026) The Floyd Fest 2026 music festival will be held at 5826 Floyd Highway North from July 22 to July 26. Drivers should use Routes 8 and Route 221 as access gateways to Floyd County from I-77, I-81, and Route 220. Motorists should also expect higher traffic volumes and congestion throughout the area and in the Town of Floyd.

Route 626 (Hebron Road) closed for bridge replacement

(New June 26, 2026) Beginning on Monday, July 20, Route 626 (Hebron Road) will close for a bridge replacement project. The bridge is located .10 mile from the Carroll County line to .10 mile from Route 625 (Bolt Mill Road). Message boards will be in place to alert drivers, and a signed detour will be posted. Residents will have access to their homes on either side of the closure. The project completion ius expected on August 21, 2026.

Route 768 (Firehouse Road) pipe replacement and improvements

(Updated July 17, 2026) Work is underway on a project to improve Route 768 (Firehouse Road) south of the intersection with Route 766 (Easy Street) to just south of the intersection with Rivendell Road. The project will include a pipe replacement, ditching and surface treatment. During the pipe replacement, periodic road closures will be in place for through traffic between  July 5 through August 2. Residents along the roadway will have access to their homes during these periodic closures by using Route 766 (Easy Street) or Route 767 (Talford Road). Lane closures with flagging operations will also be used during the project and drivers may experience delays. Expected completion is September 2026.

Montgomery County

Route 663 to close at its intersection with Route 114 in Montgomery County for pipe replacement

(New July 17, 2026) Weather permitting, starting at 6 a.m. Monday, August 3, Route 663 (Walton Road) in Montgomery County will be closed at its intersection with Route 114 (Peppers Ferry Road) for a pipe replacement near the intersection. All Walton Road traffic will need to use Route 11 (Radford Road) to access homes or detour around the closure. Drivers should pay attention to message boards in the area. Peppers Ferry Road and Route 685 (Prices Fork Road) will remain open for the duration of the project. Work is expected to be completed by 6 a.m. Wednesday, August 5, weather permitting.

Route 726 (Gold Rush Road) closed for bridge replacement

(New July 10, 2026) Beginning on Monday, August 10, at 8 a.m., Route 726 (Gold Rush Road) will close for bridge work over Brush Creek.  This bridge is located 0.5 mile from Route 615 and 1.6 miles from Route 612. Message boards will alert drivers. Expected completion is August 20.

Route 460 Business pedestrian improvement project

(Updated July 17, 2026) Work is nearing completion on a pedestrian improvement project for Route 460 Business between the intersection of Route 460 and Laurel Street (Entrance to Walmart) and to the intersection with Spradlin Farm Drive. Drivers can expect lane closures in the eastbound and westbound lanes from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Closures of turn lanes onto 460 Business from each side of the intersection with Laurel Street may also be in place. Message boards will alert traffic. Expected completion is Summer 2026.

• Right lane closures on Route 460 eastbound may be in place during daytime hours and alternating lane closures on Route 460 westbound during nighttime hours.
• Nighttime lane closures including left hand turn lanes may be in place on the eastbound side of North Franklin, 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. These closures will also involve restricting turn lane access from Pepper’s Ferry Road through the signaled intersection.
• Eastbound left lane closures from the intersection with Pepper’s Ferry to just past the intersection with Laurel Street.
• Westbound lane closure from Farm View Road to just past the intersection with Laurel Street. Inside turn lane may be closed from westbound Route 460.Lane closures: Lane closures may be in place in the following locations during allowable work hours listed above:

Pulaski County

Route 11 safety improvements at Warden Court
(Updated July 10, 2026) Work is underway to improve roadway elevation through the curve on Route 11 at Warden Court between the intersections of Route 11 and Camelot Farm Road and the Northern Entrance to Warden Court.  Drivers can expect southbound lane and shoulder closures with barrier wall and alternating north and southbound lane closures. 11-foot lanes will be maintained in both directions. Expected to be completed October 2026.

Route 11 at Route 114 (Peppers Ferry Road) intersection safety improvements

(Updated July 10, 2026) Drivers can expect lane, turn lane and shoulder closures with periodic detours and flagging operations for a safety improvements project that is underway at the intersection of Route 11 (Lee Highway) and Route 114 (Peppers Ferry Road). Periodic temporary detours will be in place using Route 600 (Belspring Road) for traffic exiting southbound Route 11 to eastbound Route 114 and using Route 630 (Round House Street)  for traffic exiting westbound Route 114 to southbound Route 11 as work progresses. For the month of May, daytime lane closures will be limited to the hours between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., and overnight between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. Starting in June, construction activity will increase while schools are out for the summer while time restrictions will remain in place on southbound Route 11. Motorists should pay attention to electronic message boards in the area for changes in traffic pattern22 and periodic detours. Expected completion is summer 2027.

• Lane closures: These lane closures may be in place through July 31, 2026.
• On Route 11, a right lane closure is in place through the intersection with Route 114.
• On westbound Route 114, traffic is restricted to one left turn lane onto northbound Route 11.