By CHAD COOPER
[email protected]
The Virginia Department of Transportation released traffic alerts for Buchanan and the surrounding counties.
To keep motorists informed, VDOT provides weekly updates on highway construction and maintenance projects throughout Southwest Virginia.
The following are current VDOT projects in Buchanan, Dickenson and Tazewell Counties that may cause traffic delays from June 8 through June 14, 2026:
Buchanan County
Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B: Be alert to a new traffic pattern on Route 460 at Grundy due to the construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B. The switch is approximately 1.1 miles west of the Route 460/Route 83 (Riverside Drive/Edgewater Drive) intersection in Grundy. Motorists should be alert to flaggers in the area. (Completion: Late 2027)
Dickenson County
Route 83 roundabout at Route 637: Construction continues for a roundabout and a new park and ride lot at the intersection of Route 83 and Route 637 in Dickenson County.Be alert to lane shifts and closures. Pay attention to flaggers, signs, and message boards in the area. (Completion: October 2026)
Route 619 (Skeetrock Road) bridge repairs: Repairs are underway on the Route 619 (Skeetrock Road) bridge over Pound River in Dickenson County, between Routes 607 and 695. The project includes using temporary traffic signals to control one-way traffic. Pay close attention to temporary construction signs. (Completion: June 2026)
Russell County
Route 600 (Ivy Ridge Road) bridge replacement: A portion of Route 600 (Ivy Ridge Road) is closed due to a bridge replacement project in Russell County. The closure is located 0.6 miles north of the intersection of Route 600 and Route 664 (Carbo Road) and 1.3 miles south of the intersection of Route 600 and Route 725 (Egg Farm Road). A detour is available using Routes 600, 664, 616, and 615. Be alert to signs and message boards. (Completion: July 2026)
Route 19 safety improvements: Safety improvements are underway on Route 19 northbound in the Rosedale area of Russell County. Lane closures will be in place starting 0.8 miles west of Route 80. The right lane is restricted to a width of 11 feet. Watch for signs and message boards. (Completion: November 2026)
Tazewell County
(NEW) Route 16 pavement patching: Be alert to pavement patching on Route 16 between Roaring Fork Road and the Smyth County line in Tazewell County. The work will take place June 8 – 12. Motorists should be alert to flaggers and possible delays in the area.
Route 19/460 and Route 610 intersection improvements: An intersection improvement project is underway on Route 19/460, from the intersection of Route 19 with Route 460 at Adair Drive, to the intersection of Route 19/460 with Route 610 in the Claypool Hill area of Tazewell County. Anticipate shoulder and lane closures in the area. (Completion: December 2026)
Several interstate projects are also going on during this time on Interstate 81 and Interstate 77, including the following:
Interstate 81 – Exit 50 and mile marker 52 bridge rehabilitations (Smyth County): A project that includes bridge rehabilitation work on six bridges north and southbound at exit 50 and mile marker 52 in Smyth County is coming soon. Be alert to construction crews mobilizing in the area. Nighttime lane closures will be in place for the duration of the project. Also, Be alert to flaggers and/or lane closures on Kiawana Road and Nick’s Creek Road. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: November 2027)
Interstate 81 – Exit 45 deceleration lane extension (Smyth County): A project to extend the deceleration lane at exit 45 northbound in the Marion area of Smyth County is underway. The project includes replacing the northbound I-81 bridge over Matson Drive. Be alert to periodic nighttime lane closures and shifted traffic over Matson Drive. (Completion: December 2027)
Interstate 81 – Bridge rehabilitation at mile marker 68 (Wythe County) – Due to a bridge rehabilitation project on I-81 north and southbound over Reed Creek at mile marker 68 in Wythe County, be alert to periodic extended lane closures and a width restriction of 14 feet. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: September 2027)
Interstate 81 – Roadway improvements (Wythe County): A project is underway to construct an auxiliary lane southbound between exits 73 and 72. Be alert to periodic lane closures in this area. (Completion: Fall 2026)
Interstate 81/77 interchange at Wytheville: Due to improvements on I-81 and I-77 at the interchange at Wytheville, pay close attention to signs and message boards. Be alert to possible lane restrictions and traffic shifts due to drainage work. (Completion: Summer 2027)
Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities — be alert to the following lane closures:
Interstate 81
Daytime survey work northbound from Bristol to the Wythe County line.
Nighttime paving operations northbound near mile marker 30 in Washington County.
Nighttime paving operations southbound near exit 32, exit 39 and mile marker 38 in Washington and Smyth counties.
Nighttime paving operations southbound between mile marker 4 and exit 3 in Bristol.
Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound Monday – Thursday between exit 67 and mile marker 69 in Wythe County.
Nighttime herbicide spraying north and southbound between exit 54 and mile marker 87 in Smyth and Wythe counties.
Interstate 77
Nighttime herbicide spraying north and southbound from exit 24 to mile marker 67 in Wythe and Bland counties.
