As part of ongoing road construction to widen a one-mile section of U.S. 221 in Roanoke County, concrete bridge beams will be delivered and set into place on the new bridge over Back Creek daily, Tuesday, Feb.12 through Thursday, Feb. 14.

The bridge beams are expected to be delivered between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. As each beam arrives on the project site, two large cranes will be used to lower it onto the new bridge.

To allow for delivery, unloading and placement of the beams, U.S. 221 traffic will be stopped for 10 to 15 minutes at a time in both the north and southbound directions between Coleman Road (Route 735) and Sunnycrest Road (Route 725). Each beam is approximately 90 feet long and weighs more than 89,000 pounds.

Every effort will be made to minimize traffic disruptions. However, traffic will have to be stopped for several minutes on U.S. 221, along adjacent roadways and at private entrances. U.S. 221 will be closed between its intersection with Route 735 (Coleman Road) and Route 725 (Sunnycrest Road).

Signs and message boards will be in place to alert drivers to these traffic delays. Drivers should watch for flaggers and expect short-term delays.

The delivery and placement of the bridge beams is dependent upon weather and work schedule.

For real-time traffic information, please visit www.511Virginia.org or dial 511.

– Submitted by VDOT News