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 are current VDOT projects in Buchanan, Dickenson and Tazewell Counties that may cause traffic delays from July 20 through July 26, 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)
Russell County
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 460 intersection improvements – Richlands: Intersection improvement work will take place on Route 460 at the Clinch Valley Medical Center intersection in Richlands. The work will take place on Tuesday (July 21). Be alert to lane closures and pay attention to signs and message boards.
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. A detour is anticipated in mid-to-late September. When the detour is in place, motorists traveling on Kents Ridge Road and Front Street will use 2nd Street and Floyd Avenue to access Front Street. Pay attention to signs, message boards and construction crews in the area. (Completion: November 2026)
(UPDATE) Route 19/460 drainage structure repairs at Corsica Drive: Due to drainage structure repairs on Route 19/460 at Corsica Drive in Tazewell County, a lane closure will be in place through July 31. Be alert to signs and message boards 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 projects
Interstate 81/77
(UPDATE) 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 underway. Be alert to construction crews 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. (Completion: Summer 2027)
Be alert to the following lane closures due to interstate maintenance activities:
Interstate 81
Nighttime paving operations southbound between mile marker 56 and Exit 54 in Smyth County.
A superload is traveling northbound from Bristol to the West Virginia state line the week of July 20.
Interstate 77
Nighttime tunnel maintenance northbound at Big Walker Mountain Tunnel in Bland County. All wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel.
Nighttime paving operations northbound between mile markers 55.9 and 59 in Bland County.
