The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a contract worth approximately $17.9 million to Roanoke-based contractor Branch Highways for a project to improve traffic flow, enhance safety and eliminate congestion at Interstate 81’s exit 150 in Botetourt County. The project includes a new northbound ramp and roundabout. Construction on the improvement project is expected to start in late spring 2015. Estimated completion is fall 2017 with remaining incidental work completed by summer 2018. The CTB also awarded a contract worth approximately $38.7-million to Branch Highways to build the Route 460 Southgate Connector in Blacksburg. The Virginia Department of Transportation says the primary purpose of this project is to improve safety and reduce congestion by replacing the existing signalized intersection at Route 460 and Southgate Drive with a new interchange. Construction on this project is expected to start this spring with the new interchange open to traffic in December 2018 and final completion in December 2019.
