RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Brenda Waters 276-669-9999 bristolinfo@VirginiaDOT.org Michelle Earl 276-669-9901

BRIS-248 Nov. 20, 2003

TWELVE ROAD PROJECTS VALUED AT $18.9 MILLION APPROVED FOR SOUTHWESTERN VIRGINIA

RICHMOND, Va. – Twelve road projects valued at $18.9 million were awarded today for southwestern Virginia.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board approved the following contracts:

- A $10.6 million contract to widen Alternate Route 58 in Lee County from the east corporate limits of Pennington Gap to near the Dryden Community was awarded to Patrick Construction, Inc. St. Paul. This project will be located adjacent to the Dryden Bypass, currently under construction.

- A $5.3 million contract to widen Route 58 in Washington County from just east of Route 11 in Abingdon to just east of Route 638 was awarded to W-L Construction & Paving, Inc., Chilhowie. This project is the first phase of the Abingdon to Damascus link of the Route 58 Corridor.

Also, Commissioner Shucet awarded 10 contracts, each valued under $2 million.

W-L Construction received two additional contracts: a $1.2 million contract to perform drainage repairs and install a westbound right turn lane to serve the entrance to Pound High School in Wise County, and a $125,283 contract to improve the intersection at Routes 11 and 90 in Rural Retreat.

Elk Knob, Inc., Pennington Gap, received three contracts:

- A $533,361 contract to widen and pave Route 676 – Opossum Hollow in Lee County, from Route 682 to Route 671.

- A $279,617 contract to widen and pave Route 646 – Long Hollow in Lee County from, Route 640 to Route 641.

- A $57,159 contract to widen the southern entrance to Wythe County Progressive Park, Route 649-Kents Mill Road.

Southern Signs, Inc., Roanoke, received a $201,551 contract to install 10th of a mile markers along the full length of Interstate 81 through Virginia, from the Tennessee state line to the West Virginia state line. The 10th of a mile markers will improve safety for stranded motorists, especially those unfamiliar with the area they are traveling in, by improving their ability to identify their location for assistance.

Mac Construction, Inc. Oakwood, received two widening contracts in Dickenson County: a $159,572 contract for Route 611 – Birch Knob Road from 1.15-miles north of Route 742 to 1.35 miles north of Route 742, and a $125,335 contract for Route 681 – Buffalo Creek Road from Route 63 to .28-mile east of Route 63.

Glass Machinery and Excavation, Inc. Jonesville, received a $167,398 contract to widen Route 714 – Apple Orchard Road in the Yuma section of Scott County, beginning at the Tennessee/Virginia State line and extending northward .58-mile.

Lastly, a $87,475 contract was awarded to Selco Construction Services, Inc., Swords Creek to install guardrail at various locations in Tazewell County.

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