Bristol District, Virginia, October 18, 2025
The Virginia Department of Transportation has announced a series of lane closures and construction delays set to take place in the Bristol District. These changes aim to enhance road safety and improve traffic efficiency. Motorists are advised to expect disruptions from October 20 to 26, allowing time for construction activities that are essential for maintaining Virginia’s road infrastructure. Drivers should plan their travel accordingly, as delays could impact commute times in the area.
Bristol, Virginia — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced a series of lane closures and construction activities in the Bristol District for the week of October 20 to 26, 2025. These measures aim to enhance road safety and efficiency across the region. Motorists are advised to plan their routes accordingly and exercise caution when traveling through work zones.
Interstate Projects
Interstate 81 – Bridge Rehabilitation Near Exit 3 (Bristol)
Bridge rehabilitation work on I-81 southbound near Exit 3 will result in lane closures. Drivers should remain alert to signs and message boards. This project is expected to be completed by late 2025.
Interstate 81 – Approach Slab Repairs at Exit 45 Bridge (Marion Area, Smyth County)
Lane closures for approach slab repairs on I-81 north and southbound at the Exit 45 bridge may cause delays. Motorists should pay close attention to signs and message boards. The project is scheduled for completion by October 24, 2025.
Interstate 81 – Widening Between Exits 10 and 7 (Washington County)
A widening project to widen I-81 southbound between Exits 10 and 7, as well as approximately one mile of northbound I-81 from Exit 7 northward, is underway. Drivers should be alert to changing traffic patterns. Completion is anticipated by November 2025.
Interstate 81 – Route 11 Widening at Exit 5 (Bristol)
The City of Bristol is widening a portion of Route 11 and the I-81 southbound and northbound off-ramps at Exit 5 to improve traffic flow and safety. Improvements to intersections and traffic signals are included. The project is expected to be completed by May 2026.
Interstate 81 – Deceleration Lane Extension at Exit 81 (Wythe County)
A deceleration lane extension project at Exit 81 on I-81 southbound is underway. Drivers should be alert to changing traffic patterns, signs, and message boards. Completion is anticipated by October 2025.
Interstate 81 – Roadway Improvements (Wythe County)
Construction of an auxiliary lane southbound between Exits 73 and 72 is underway. Periodic lane closures may occur in this area. The project is scheduled for completion in Fall 2026.
Interstate 77 – Truck Climbing Lane (Wythe County)
Construction of a truck climbing lane on I-77 northbound from mile marker 30.6 to Exit 32 is underway. Drivers should be alert to traffic pattern changes, signs, and message boards. The project is expected to be completed by June 2026.
Interstates 81 and 77 Maintenance Activities
Lane closures due to maintenance activities include:
- Interstate 81: Nighttime bridge deck repairs north and southbound near mile marker 52 in Smyth County; nighttime paving operations southbound between mile markers 25 and 23 in Washington County; a super load will travel northbound from Bristol to the Virginia/West Virginia state line, October 20 – 25.
- Interstate 77: Nighttime tunnel maintenance north and southbound at Big Walker Mountain Tunnels and the East River Mountain tunnels. All wide loads over 12 feet must stop before entering the tunnel.
Primary Highways and High-Traffic Secondary Roads
Bland County
Route 608 (Skydusky Road) Bridge Superstructure Replacement: Route 608 is closed due to a bridge superstructure replacement located 0.65 miles from Route 42 and 0.06 miles from Route 604 (Walker’s Creek Road). Motorists should be alert to signs and message boards. Completion is expected by August 2026.
Buchanan County
Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B: A new traffic pattern on Route 460 at Grundy is in place due to the construction of Route 460/121 Poplar Creek Phase B. The traffic change extends from Route 460 near Hill Street in Grundy and continues along westbound Route 460 for approximately 0.8 miles to where traffic will merge back onto current Route 460.
Dickenson County
Route 619 (Skeetrock Road) Bridge Repairs: Repairs are underway on the Route 619 bridge over Pound River, between Routes 607 and 695. Temporary traffic signals are controlling one-way traffic. Completion is anticipated by November 2025.
Route 63 Bridge Replacement: A bridge replacement project is underway in the Town of Haysi. Temporary traffic signals are in place controlling one-way traffic through the work zone. Completion is expected by April 2026.
Scott County
Route 23/58 Intersection Improvements: Improvements at the intersection of Route 23/58 at Duffield include changes to the location of the traffic signal supports, the addition of a northbound Route 23 left and right turn lane, and the addition of a right turn lane from Route 871 (Natural Tunnel Parkway Road) onto northbound Route 23. Motorists should be alert to signs and message boards and watch for periodic traffic pattern changes during the project. Completion is anticipated by June 2026.
Tazewell County
Route 61 Bridge Replacement Over Cove Creek: Due to the replacement of the Route 61 bridge over Cove Creek, be alert to traffic signals controlling one-way traffic across the bridge. The width restriction of the bridge during construction is 10 feet 6 inches. The bridge is located near the intersection of Route 622 (Cove Creek Road). Completion is expected by September 2026.
Front Street Bridge Replacement in Richlands: The replacement of the Front Street bridge over the Clinch River is underway. The bridge project is located at the intersection of Front Street with Fairfax Avenue, to the intersection of Front Street with Allegheny Street in the Town of Richlands. The current bridge is closed to traffic. Motorists are advised to detour using Route 460, Railroad Avenue, 2nd Avenue, Fairfax Avenue, and Allegheny Street. Completion is anticipated by April 2026.
Washington County
Route 748 (Clinchburg Road) Closure: A portion of Route 748 is closed due to the failing structural integrity of the Salt Trail trestle over a section of the road. A portion of the road is closed until repairs can be made.
Wise County
Route 613 (East Stone Gap Road) Bridge Improvements: A bridge improvement project is scheduled to begin September 2 on Route 613 over Beaverdam Creek near Clinch Haven Road. Motorists should be alert to signs and message boards in the area for detour information. Completion is expected by November 2025.
Wythe County
Progress Park Connector/I-77 Exit 41: Construction of a new 2.3-mile connector road between Nye Road and E. Lee Trinkle Road is underway, providing a direct connection to Wytheville’s Progress Park industrial site. A 0.3-mile portion of Lover’s Lane was closed this Spring and remains closed for the duration of the project. The closed section of Lover’s Lane is located 1.6 miles from Nye Road and 0.5 miles from Pepper’s Ferry Road. Construction is also ongoing 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. Motorists should be alert to construction vehicles, work zone signs, and workers in the area. Completion is anticipated by November 2026.
Route 671 (Crigger Road) Bridge: The Route 671 bridge in Wythe County has been restricted to one 11-foot-wide lane and a three-ton weight limit. Replacement of the bridge is scheduled to begin in October 2026.
For real-time traffic information, motorists can call VDOT’s 511 service or visit 511.vdot.virginia.gov
Frequently Asked Questions
What construction projects are scheduled in the Bristol District from October 20 to 26, 2025?
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced a series of lane closures and construction activities in the Bristol District for the week of October 20 to 26, 2025. These measures aim to enhance road safety and efficiency across the region. Motorists are advised to plan their routes accordingly and exercise caution when traveling through work zones.
Which specific projects are taking place on Interstate 81 during this period?
Key projects on Interstate 81 include bridge rehabilitation near Exit 3 in Bristol, with lane closures expected until late 2025. Additionally, approach slab repairs at Exit 45 Bridge in the Marion area of Smyth County may cause delays, with completion scheduled for October 24, 2025. Widening projects between Exits 10 and 7 in Washington County and at Exit 5 in Bristol are also underway, with expected completion by November 2025 and May 2026, respectively.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| City/Region | Bristol District, Virginia |
| Timeframe | Week of October 20–26, 2025 |
| Major Projects | Interstate 81 bridge rehab, approach slab repairs, widening between Exits 10 and 7, Route 11/Exit 5 improvements, deceleration lane extension, and multiple county projects |
| Expected Completions | Late 2025 to 2026 (varies by project) |
| traveler information | VDOT 511 service (real-time traffic info) |
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Author: VIRGINIA STAFF WRITER
The VIRGINIA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at constructionvanews.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Virginia and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Virginia Build Expo, major infrastructure projects, and advancements in construction technology showcases. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Associated Builders and Contractors of Virginia and the Home Builders Association of Virginia, plus leading businesses in construction and legal services that power the local economy such as CMiC Global and Williams Mullen. As part of the broader network, including constructioncanews.com, constructionnynews.com, and constructiontxnews.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into the dynamic construction landscape across multiple states.
