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 October 5 through October 11, 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 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 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 81/77 interchange (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)
Interstate 77/Exit 41 area (Wytheville)
Be alert to construction activities at the I-77 interchange at Exit 41, which includes improvements to the northbound lanes and northbound I-77 off-ramp, Nye Road, and Peppers Ferry Road. Be alert to traffic shifts. Pay close attention to construction vehicles, work zone signs, and workers in the area. (Late 2026)
Interstates 81 and 77 maintenance activities — be alert to the following lane closures:
Interstate 81
Nighttime bridge deck repairs northbound near Exit 35 and mile marker 37 in Smyth County.
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 deck repairs northbound near mile marker 58 in Wythe 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 5.
Interstate 77
Nighttime bridge inspection work northbound between Exit 64 and mile marker 65 in Bland County.
Nighttime bridge deck repairs north and southbound between mile markers 43 and 46 in Wythe County. A slow roll will take place between 12 a.m. and 5 a.m. on October 7.
