VDOT Roadwatch: traffic alerts for Buchanan County
By CHAD COOPER
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 VDOT projects in Buchanan, Dickenson and Tazewell Counties may cause traffic delays from October 12 through October 18, 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 watch for 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)
Russell County
Route 19 safety improvements
Safety improvements are underway on Route 19 northbound in the Rosedale area of Russell County. Lane closures are in place beginning 0.8 miles west of Route 80. Pay close attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: November 2026)
Tazewell County
Second Street/Front Street Intersection Improvement – Richlands
Work is underway on a realignment project on 2nd Street and Front Street in the town of Richlands, modifying the raised median/island at the intersection of 2nd Street and Front Street and adding a raised median along Front Street to allow right-turn movements from Kents Ridge Road. Pay attention to signs, message boards, and construction crews in the area. (Completion: November 2026)
Route 19/460 and Route 610 intersection improvements – Claypool Hill
An intersection improvement project is underway on Route 19/460, from Adair Drive to Route 610 in the Claypool Hill area of Tazewell County. (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 including bridge rehabilitation work on six bridges north and south between Exit 50 and mile marker 56 in Smyth County is underway. Be alert to construction crews in the area. Nighttime lane closures will be in place for the duration of the project. Also, watch for flaggers and 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 northbound deceleration lane at Exit 45 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 bridge rehabilitation on I-81 north and southbound over Reed Creek at mile marker 68 in Wythe County, expect periodic extended lane closures and a 14-foot width restriction. Pay attention to signs and message boards. (Completion: September 2027)
Interstate 81/77 interchange (Wytheville)
Due to improvements on I-81 and I-77 at the Wytheville interchange, pay close attention to signs and message boards. Be alert to possible lane restrictions and traffic shifts. (Completion: Summer 2027)
Interstate 77/Exit 41 area (Wytheville)
Be alert for construction at the I-77 interchange at Exit 41, including improvements to the northbound lanes and the northbound I-77 off-ramp, Nye Road, and Peppers Ferry Road. Be alert to traffic shifts. Watch for construction vehicles, work zone signs, and workers in the area. (Completion: Late 2026)
Interstate 81 – Bridge replacement at mile marker 9 northbound over Old Dominion Road (Washington County)
A bridge replacement project is underway on I-81 northbound at mile marker 9 over Old Dominion Road in Washington County. A one-lane signal is controlling traffic beneath I-81 on Old Dominion Road. (Completion: May 2027)
Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities — be alert to the following lane closures:
Interstate 81
Nighttime bridge deck repairs north and southbound near Exit 3 in Bristol.
Nighttime paving operations southbound between mile marker 21 and Exit 19 in Washington County.
Nighttime bridge repairs north and southbound between mile markers 67 and 69 in Wythe County.
Nighttime bridge inspections north and southbound between Exits 19 and 24 in Washington County.
Nighttime traffic engineering work southbound between mile markers 79 and 76 in Wythe County.
A super load will be traveling northbound from Bristol to the West Virginia state line the week of October 12.
A super load will be traveling southbound from the West Virginia state line to Bristol the week of October 12.
Interstate 77
Nighttime bridge deck repairs and bridge inspection work north and southbound between Exit 62 and mile marker 67 in Bland County.
Nighttime bridge deck repairs north and southbound between mile markers 43 and 46 in Wythe County.
A super load will be traveling southbound from mile marker 46 in Wythe County to the North Carolina state line the week of October 12.
