In spring 1998, construction began to widen to six lanes a section of Interstate 81 in Bristol from Exit 74 in Tennessee to just north of Exit 7 in Virginia. A new five-lane bridge is being constructed to carry traffic on Route 58 over Interstate 81. Plans are to place steel beams on the bridge in late spring or early summer. Eight bridges are being reconstructed on this segment, creating narrow lanes across the bridges. The new lanes are being constructed to the inside in the median area and to the inside of the bridges.
Plans are for traffic to be rerouted onto the new lanes in late spring or early summer.
At that time, work will begin on reconstructing the existing outside lanes. Construction on both segments is scheduled to be completed in fall 2000. Christiansburg Area Construction on the new Route 460 interchange with I-81 began in spring 1998 near mile marker 118. The project will include construction of ten new bridges and the widening of two existing bridges. Estimated completion is summer 2000.