http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/default.asp VDOT News Headlines en-us Thu, 23 May 2013 1:17:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_section_of65868.asp SALEM – Beginning Wednesday, May 29, a section of Route 717 (Murray Hollow Road) in Bedford County will be closed to traffic for repairs to the... Wed, 22 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_section_of65869.asp SALEM – Beginning Tuesday, May 28, a section of Route 612 (Stonewall Road) in Floyd County will be closed to traffic as crews replace a culvert in... Wed, 22 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/transportation_board_releases_draft65815.asp SALEM – The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on Wednesday approved a draft Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP) which outlines the CTB’s plan to distribute the anticipated funds for public transit, rail and interstate and primary highway construction projects for the fiscal years 2014-2019. The $15.4 billion draft program includes almost $4 billion in additional statewide transportation funding to be invested in the Commonwealth’s transportation network as identified by HB 2313, the state's first comprehensive transportation funding plan approved in 27 years and signed into law by Governor Bob McDonnell. The portion of the SYIP for the Salem District includes $533 million for transportation funding to be allocated for project development and construction over the next six years.  This is an increase of more than 20 percent from last year’s $431 million program for Salem District. Two major projects currently under development continue to receive funding in the draft program. Funding is included for the $46.8 million I-81 exit 150 improvement project in Botetourt County and the $46.7 million Route 460 Southgate interchange project in Blacksburg.  Both projects are expected to be advertised for construction bids in FY 2015.   A key component of the draft SYIP is the rehabilitation of the transportation system with the new revenues supporting VDOT’s efforts to extend the life of pavement and replace bridges.  For the Salem District, the draft SYIP identifies funding to continue preliminary engineering to develop plans to replace more than 50 bridges. The major new highlights of the draft SYIP for Salem District include the following: • An additional $47.1 million for paving and pavement rehabilitation projects for interstate and primary roads was included in the program to be spent over the next six years. • An additional $47 million was included to eliminate the shortfall in funding to replace the northbound I-81 bridge over the New River.  The $78.1 million project now is fully funded and expected to be advertised for construction bids in FY 2018. • An additional $6.5 million was identified to install a variable speed limit system on I-77 between mile markers 0 and 12 in Carroll County.  The project is expected to be advertised for work to start in FY 2014. • An additional $2.8 million was included to cover cost increases on the Route 603 Ironto/Elliston Connector project in Montgomery County.  This $19.7 million project is expected to be advertised for construction bids in FY 2014. • An additional $8.9 million to pave unpaved secondary roads with traffic volumes of more than 200 vehicles per day was included in the plan to be spent over the next six years. • An additional $11.3 million was included in the SYIP for counties to prioritize as part of secondary road improvements.  These funds are identified in the program in FY 2017-2019. The public has the opportunity to review the draft program and provide input, which will be taken into the consideration by the CTB before the final program is adopted in June. The FY 2014-2019 program will go into effect July 1, 2013.    The CTB will hold public hearings across the state to solicit public comments about rail, transit, transportation demand management, bicycle, pedestrian and highway projects in the draft SYIP.   The public hearing for the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Salem, Bristol, Lynchburg and Staunton districts will be held on Tuesday, June 4 at 6 p.m. at Northside High School in Roanoke.   The draft six-year program is online at http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/syp-default.asp. Fri, 17 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_southbound_detours65823.asp SALEM – Beginning Sunday, May 19, nighttime detours are scheduled on southbound Interstate 81 for the ongoing road construction project to build a... Fri, 17 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_interstate_8165766.asp SALEM – As part of the ongoing work to construct a truck climbing lane on southbound I-81 between mile markers 125 and 120 on southbound I-81, a detour is planned tonight.   The previously announced detour time has been rescheduled, and the detour will now be in place starting at 8:30 p.m.  The detour is expected to be removed at 6 a.m. on Thursday morning. Southbound I-81 traffic will be detour off I-81 at exit 132 (Dixie Caverns) onto Route 11/460 and back onto I-81 at exit 118 (Christiansburg). Tonight, a new traffic pattern will be put in place on southbound I-81 to take effect on Thursday morning.  Traffic on southbound I-81 will be routed onto a new section of roadway between mile marker 125 and 123.5.  Drivers should also be aware that the shoulder will be narrowed along newly paved section of roadway and barrier wall will be installed.  Drivers are advised to expect a change in traffic pattern and use caution.   Dates and times are tentative and could be adjusted due to weather or work schedule.  Signs and message boards will be in place to alert drivers to these traffic detours and lane closures. Work on the truck climbing lane project is expected to be completed in November 2013. For traffic information and updates, visit www.511Virginia.org. Wed, 15 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_nighttime_detours65507.asp SALEM – Beginning Sunday, May 12, nighttime detours are scheduled on southbound Interstate 81 for the ongoing road construction project to build a... Thu, 09 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_traffic_will65492.asp SALEM – As part of the Route 221 construction project in Roanoke County, traffic on Route 688 (Cotton Hill Road) will be reduced to one lane... Wed, 08 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_a_section65420.asp SALEM – Beginning Monday, May 13, crews will close a section of Route 625 (Big Falls Road) while crews repair the Route 625 bridge over Norris Run... Tue, 07 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/$12.7_million_in_contracts65421.asp SALEM — In April, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) awarded seven contracts totaling... Mon, 06 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8 http://www.virginiadot.org/newsroom/salem/2013/traffic_alert_railroad_crossing65422.asp SALEM – On Thursday, May 9, the railroad crossing at the intersection of Route 642 (Jennelle Street) and Route 603 (Cedar Run Road) in Montgomery... Mon, 06 May 2013 24:00:00 GMT-8