Here are some of the highway projects that may affect traffic in the Salem Transportation District during the next two weeks. Work schedules are always subject to change. New information is noted by “###”. VDOT encourages motorists to call 511 or visit www.511Virginia.org for real-time traffic information.

The Virginia Department of Transportation is clearing a path for travelers this holiday season by lifting lane closures over the extended Christmas and New Year’s weekends. VDOT will suspend lane closures from noon Monday, Dec. 24 to noon Wednesday, Dec. 26, and again from noon Monday, Dec. 31, to noon Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2013.

INTERSTATE 81

* INTERSTATE 81 LANE CLOSURES AND DETOURS – Repair work on the Route 614 (Arcadia Road) bridge over I-81 will require nighttime northbound and southbound lane closures. The work is located near the exit 168 interchange in Botetourt County. The lane closures will be in place from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. The northbound and southbound right shoulders under the bridge will remain closed throughout the project. This project will continue through June 2013.

###     * INTERSTATE 81 BRIDGE SLOPE CLEANING – Alternating shoulder closures will be in place at various locations on northbound and southbound I-81 in the following locations during daytime hours as crews clean bridge slopes.

• Thursday, Dec. 27, mile markers 87-131, Montgomery and Roanoke counties
• Thursday, Dec. 27, mile markers  147-175, Botetourt County
• Thursday, Jan. 3, mile markers 104-131, Montgomery County
• Thursday, Jan. 3, mile markers  132-174, Botetourt and Roanoke counties

ROANOKE COUNTY

###     * ROUTE 11/460 (WEST MAIN STREET) WIDENING – Work to widen a section of Route 11/460 to four lanes is underway in the Glenvar area. Periodic lane closures may occur at various locations throughout the project while work is being performed. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph. Work to replace the bridge over Little Bear Rock Branch may cause shifts in traffic patterns on Route 11/460 near its intersection with Fort Lewis Church Road. Barrier wall is installed on the bridge and both travel lanes are narrowed. Drivers should be alert to stopped vehicles making turns throughout the project. A new traffic pattern is in place at the entrance to Richfield Retirement Community. Drivers should be alert to stopped vehicles turning in this area. Temporary traffic signals are installed at Daugherty Road. A new traffic pattern is in place throughout the project with the construction of the raised median. This project will continue until fall of 2013.

###     * PIPE INSTALLATION (VARIOUS ROUTES) – Crews will replace pipes on Route 696 (Apple Grove Lane) and Route 897 (Crystal Creek Drive) during daylight hours on weekdays. Flaggers may control traffic.

* DITCHING/SHOULDER WORK – Crews will work along the following routes. Flaggers may control traffic at times. Work is scheduled for Route 670 (Lost Mountain Road), Route 745 (Ran Lynn Road), Route 890 (Carterdell Road) and Route 1245 (Arabian Lane).

###     * PAVEMENT PATCHING AND PAVING (VARIOUS ROUTES) – Weather permitting, crews will pave or patch potholes on various secondary roads.  Flaggers may control traffic at times during daylight hours.  Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.  Work is tentatively planned on Route 616 (Webb Road), Route 670 (Lost Mountain Road) and Route 694 (Twelve O’Clock Knob Road).

###      * 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.

CRAIG COUNTY

* ROUTE 615 BRIDGE REPLACEMENT – Work is underway to replace the bridge on Route 615 over Johns Creek. Traffic across the bridge will be reduced to one lane that is nine feet wide with a temporary traffic signal in place to control traffic. Estimated completion is January 2013.

* MOWING – Weather permitting, crews will be mowing along various roads throughout Craig County during daylight hours on weekdays.  Temporary lane closures may be in place at times.

– Submitted by VDOT-News