The Shadow
FINCASTLE? — Work continues on repairing Route 220 in Botetourt County just north of Fincastle where the road was damaged by an overturned tanker fire on Wednesday.
The damaged section of the northbound lanes is located near Route 220’s intersection with Route 679 (Peck Road/Martins Lane).
On Friday, traffic was shifted into a single southbound lane of Route 220, the far left lane traveling north. The speed limit is reduced to 35 mph on this section.
All southbound traffic is continuing to use a signed detour: Mary Alice Road to West Wind Road to Old Fincastle Road to return to Route 220.
Residents in between the detour will continue to be able to access their homes.
Tractor-trailers and large industrial vehicles are being advised to avoid Route 220 southbound and seek alternate routes such as Interstate 64 and Interstate 81.
The Virginia Department of Transportation plans to shift two-way traffic into the southbound lanes of Route 220 while repairs are made to the northbound lanes.
A timeframe for this traffic change has not been determined and will be dependent on weather.
Drivers should expect delays and heavier traffic on secondary roads in the vicinity of the closure.
A?tractor-trailer carrying gasoline crashed and exploded Wednesday morning, causing extensive damage to the north side of Rt. 220 and the culvert under the northbound lanes.
The pipe under the northbound lane collapsed, leaving a large hole in the roadway.
The truck was carrying approximately 8,000 gallons of gasoline and diesel fuel. It was traveling north on Rt. 220 toward Clifton Forge.
