Work to develop Smyth County’s first roundabout is expected to start in the coming weeks.
The Virginia Department of Transportation announced last week that construction designed to improve the intersection at U.S. 11 and Railroad Drive (Rt. 660) near the north side of Interstate 81 will get underway soon.
A roundabout will be constructed to replace the current intersection, where traffic is now controlled by stop signs.
The roundabout plan has not met with unanimous community approval with a number of citizens arguing that it’s more than is needed to address the intersection’s congestion. However, public safety officials and even citizens who have been delayed at the intersection trying to make a left turn in heavy traffic periods believe the roundabout will keep traffic moving.
According to a VDOT news release, “The single-lane roundabout will enhance safety, improve traffic flow and cost less to build and maintain when compared to a traditional intersection.”
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Regarding safety, on Monday, Michelle Earl, VDOT’s Bristol District Communications Manager, explained, “Roundabouts are found to improve safety by reducing the number of points where vehicles cross paths and eliminating the potential for right-angle and head-on crashes.”
Earl also expanded on the cost savings, noting that when a traditional intersection with a traffic light is compared to a roundabout, “you factor in the life cycle cost of a traffic signal and the time/money it takes to maintain a traffic signal over 25 years versus a roundabout that requires less maintenance during that time frame. Costs associated with traffic signals include regular maintenance, electricity, regular inspection, replacement of parts as needed, salaries of employees, etc.”
Citizens had the opportunity to speak about the plan at a public hearing in May 2021.
Ramirez Contracting LLC of Abingdon won the more than $2.8 million construction.
This week, crews are expected to set up the work zone signage, weather permitting.
The project will be underway through the summer of 2025.
During construction, motorists can expect periodic delays. VDOT noted that this area of Rt. 11 carries approximately 3,400 vehicles per day.
The work for the Rt. 11-Rt. 660 intersection is funded through VDOT’s SMART SCALE Program, a statewide prioritization of projects that are scored based on an outcome-based process. The total cost for the project is approximately $3.6 million, said VDOT.
A second roundabout is planned for the intersection of U.S. 11 and Rt. 660 on the south side of Interstate 81. It is anticipated that the right-of-way phase of that project will begin this summer and construction will begin spring 2026, VDOT said.
For drivers new to roundabouts, VDOT offered this advice: When approaching a roundabout, vehicles must yield to traffic already in the circle. Drivers should yield, look left, then proceed right into the roundabout if it is clear, then exit at one of the legs of the roundabout. In this instance, there will be three access points from within the roundabout: access to Browns Subdivision Road, to Route 11 toward Adwolfe, and to Route 11 toward Marion. Do not stop while within the roundabout.
The replacement of McMullin Bridge over the railroad between Route 11 and Route 660 is a separate project. This fall, VDOT said it will begin the process of selecting a design-build team to finalize the design, purchase right of way and construct the project. Construction is anticipated to begin in late 2025, said a news release.