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VDOT outlines I‑81, roundabout and bridge work; supervisors press for local road fixes
Summary
VDOT’s acting residency administrator briefed the Smyth County Board on projects including an I‑81 northbound decel lane and a Route 11 roundabout, and answered supervisors’ questions about local paving, cost‑share eligibility and shoulder work.
VDOT Acting Residency Administrator Matthew Lewis presented the quarterly report to the Smyth County Board on April 9, citing active and development‑stage projects across the county and region. His written list included an I‑81 northbound deceleration lane (UPC 116160, under construction, targeted Dec. 2027), the Route 11/SR 660 roundabout (UPC 119429, under construction, targeted Aug. 2027), and several bridge projects in development (UPCs 121139, 124371, 121244).
Board members raised local concerns. Royal Oak District Supervisor Courtney Widener asked about expanding the I‑81 bridge over Highway 16 and about paving and cost‑share options for Vale Circle; VDOT staff said bridge expansion was not currently planned, that Vale Circle needs paving before state acceptance, and that the road could qualify for cost‑share funding. Matthew Lewis and VDOT assistants described ongoing shoulder and drainage work and coordination with regional offices to address slope stabilization and unpaved shoulder repairs. "VDOT is currently maintaining and servicing equipment, repairing unpaved shoulders, replacing damaged pipes, patching potholes, mowing, cleaning ditches, stabilizing slopes, and machine grading unpaved roads," Lewis said.
