ROANOKE & BOTETOURT COUNTIES, Va. (WDBJ) – As part of the Interstate 81 widening project, scheduled blasting and slow rolls between exits 143 to 150 are expected to begin Monday, Aug. 24, says the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
VDOT also says blasting will occur for approximately eight weeks between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Tuesday through Thursday in Roanoke and Botetourt counties. Drivers can expect delays and noise; exact days and times will be communicated weekly via message boards to alert drivers.
According to VDOT, slow rolls will be used in both directions:
- Northbound lanes beginning at the 146 on-ramp (Plantation Rd.)
- Southbound lanes beginning at the 156 on-ramp (Troutville)
During a slow roll, police will slow and possibly stop traffic to allow for a safe and traffic-free space on the interstate within the construction zone during blasting operations. Each slow roll is anticipated to last up to 15 minutes…