VDOT News - Salem

SALEM – As part of the ongoing road widening project on Route 58 on Lovers Leap Mountain in Patrick County, signs have been posted denoting a detour that will only be implemented during emergencies or other incidents as needed.

The Virginia Department of Transportation and contractor Branch Civil Inc. are reminding drivers that the signs that are fluorescent pink in color do not designate a permanent or scheduled detour. The signed detour route is suitable for all traffic during incidents including tractor-trailers and other large vehicles.

These detour signs are fluorescent pink, which is differnt than orange signs that denote planned construction detours that many drivers are used to seeing for road projects.  According to the federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), fluorescent pink signs are used for incident detours.

Drivers are reminded that VDOT provides notices of traffic incidents through the www.511Virginia.org website and mobile app.  In addition, electronic messages boards will be activated along Interstate 77 corridor and at some locations along Route 58 in the event of an incident that requires a detour.

The $300 million project on Lovers Leap Mountain will improve safety on Route 58 by expanding the road from two lanes to four lanes starting 0.3 mile east of Route 610 (Cloudbreak Road) and extending to 0.7 mile north of Stuart. Construction is estimated to be completed in late spring 2026.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.