Rockslide Repair Project on 340 issues update
The Rockslide Repair Project along U.S. 340 near Harpers Ferry provided an update over the weekend.
The repairs are estimated at 65% completion and currently on schedule to be finished by December 10th, 2023.
Contracting crews have removed loose rocks and boulders from the mountainside above the roadway since September.
The one mile section of 340 has remained closed for motorist’s safety during the duration of the work by the West Virginia Department of Transportation as boulders the size of cars have fallen during the work, sometimes unexpectedly.
Since September, more than 1,500 cubic yards of rock totaling 2,300 tons have been removed.
Until the work is completed, motorists will need to plan to continue to use the 22 mile, 35 minute long detour.
A link to the project’s website which includes picture updates of the repairs is available here.
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VDOT bridge repairs close part of Browntown Road
VDOT will begin bridge work on Route 649 (Browntown Road) in Warren County starting Monday, July 10th which will send travelers on a six mile detour.
Crews will work to replace a portion of the bridge that crosses the Gooney Run tributary between Poor House and Buck Mountain Road.
Drivers approaching the bridge from the north will turn right on Route 605, left onto Route 340 (Stonewall Jackson Highway), then left to Route 674 (Limeton Church Road) and then another left onto Route 622 to end the detour.
Drivers from the south will turn left on Route 622, right on Route 674, followed by a right on Route 340 and then a final right on Route 605 to the end of the detour.
The project is expected to last roughly three weeks with traffic scheduled to reopen on July 2, 2023.
To view the VDOT press release on the bridge work, click here.
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Intersection improvements begin along Boyce’s Main Street
The Virginia Department of Transportation will begin improvements on the intersection of Route 340 (Greenway Avenue) and Route 723 (Main Street) in Boyce on Wednesday, May 31.
VDOT crews will install flashing stop signs and a high visibility crosswalk with pedestrian signs. The existing overhead flashing signals will be removed.
During installation, motorists should expect flagger traffic control from 8 am to 4 pm.
Crews will return a week later to remove the overhead signals.
When the intersection is complete, drivers approaching the intersection on Route 723 will encounter the dynamic stop signs.
Remember to stop completely and proceed when the road is clear.
The improvements were made following a request by the Town of Boyce to evaluate the intersection.
VDOT plans to install a full traffic signal at the intersection in the future.
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Winchester man apprehended after running from police
Thursday around 5:30 pm, Virginia State Police (VSP) reports by email that they conducted a speeding traffic stop at the intersection of Route 50 and Iron Rail Lane in Clarke County.
The trooper clocked the 2003 Ford Expedition at 77 miles per hour in a 55 mile per hour zone.
The trooper spoke to the driver, Wilson E. Buckingham Jr., 34, of Winchester, and returned to his cruiser to check on the driver’s credentials when Buckingham fled on foot.
On Friday at approximately 4:20 pm, Clarke County Sheriff’s Office confirm that Buckingham was apprehended without incident along Route 340 in the Town of Boyce.
Buckingham was wanted in multiple jurisdictions.
A female passenger was detained during the initial incident but has been released.
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Authorities close Route 340 in Clarke Co. for close to 7 hours
An email from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officially closed Route 340 in Clarke County at approximately 1:30 p.m. yesterday June 20.
What was reported as a major accident just after 12:30 led to the closure of Route 340 from Virginia Route 277 at Double Toll Gate to U.S. Route 50 at Waterloo.
A vehicle and tractor trailer accident led to the closure of all lanes on Route 340.
Both vehicles were reportedly on fire at one point after the collision.
VDOT officially announced the reopening of all lanes in an email at approximately 7:25 last night June 20.
The accident remains under investigation by the Virginia State Police with no other details available at this time.
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