VDOT continues recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene leaves roads damaged and blocked

Bristol, Virginia – In the aftermath of heavy rains and high winds brought by Hurricane Helene, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) Bristol District has been working tirelessly to restore roadways and clear debris. The storm, which hit on Friday, caused significant damage to roads throughout the region, but VDOT has already made substantial progress in recovery.

Significant Clean-Up and Road Reopenings

Approximately 500 roads have been reopened since the storm, and crews have successfully removed around 11,000 cubic yards of debris. A combination of regional VDOT crews, contractors, and around 200 VDOT employees from across the state have been working around the clock to restore normalcy. However, the clean-up effort is far from over.

Currently, around 75 roads are still impacted, with two of those being primary highways. The closures have primarily resulted from downed trees blocking routes and damage caused by floodwaters. Route 16 near the Smyth/Grayson County line was successfully reopened after pipe repairs were completed.

Key Closures and Road Repairs

Several key road closures remain in place:

• Route 21 in Grayson County: Closed near Route 729 and the Town of Independence due to a landslide. It is expected to take 2-3 weeks to make the necessary repairs.
• Route 58 Through Damascus: The road is closed to through traffic in the Town of Damascus to allow for recovery efforts.
• Route 58 Near Konnarock: A significant washout along Route 58 has closed the road between the intersection of Route 91 at Damascus and Feather Camp Road.
• Bridges Along Route 725: Two bridges in the Taylor’s Valley Community are closed due to washouts adjacent to the structures. Plans are underway to install a temporary bridge near the intersection of Routes 725 and 726 within the week.

Storm-Damaged Bridges and Pipes

Three bridges were entirely washed away during the storm:

• Route 1212 Bridge in Damascus
• Route 800 St. Claire’s Creek Road Bridge in Smyth County
• Route 859 Grassy Ridge Road Bridge in Washington County

Additionally, five large pipes were washed out in Grayson County—three on Route 783 (Helton Creek Lane) and two on Route 749 (Cabin Creek).

Ongoing Recovery Efforts

VDOT workers are actively engaged in clearing trees and debris, establishing access to routes affected by flooding, and conducting assessments to determine when these roads can safely be reopened.

Check Road Conditions Online

Motorists are encouraged to use VDOT’s 511Virginia.org website to stay updated on road conditions. By navigating to the “road conditions table” under the text views tab, residents can find detailed information on the status of various routes.

As VDOT continues its work to restore the impacted roads and bridges, drivers are advised to exercise caution and stay informed about local conditions.