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SALEM – The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is beginning to mobilize for a road project to construct a single-lane roundabout at the junction of Route 611 (Newbern Road), Route 643 (Cougar Trail Road) and Route 1120 (Newbern Heights Drive) in Pulaski County. Drivers will begin to see some activity starting in August with construction underway in September.
In addition to the single-lane roundabout, the project also involves realigning all three roads and will include reinforced concrete around the island to enable larger vehicles to navigate the turns. Drainage improvements, including replacing the existing Goose Creek culvert beneath Newbern Road, are also included in the project.
Beginning around August 17, for residents who live on Route 1120 (Newbern Heights Drive), drivers will need to use the second entrance located about .5 mile south on Route 611 (Newbern Road). The first entrance near Route 643 (Cougar Trail Road) will be closed for the duration of the project.
During daytime hours between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and evening hours between 6 p.m. and 7 a.m. the following morning, Monday through Friday, flaggers may control traffic and delays are possible. Flagging operations will not be in place during peak hours between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday. In addition, drivers should also be alert to traffic shifts and changing traffic patterns while the roundabout is under construction. Message boards will alert drivers.
The new roundabout is expected to be open to traffic sometime in spring 2028. Once the roundabout is open, residual work in the area will be performed.
The purpose of the project is to enhance traffic flow, reduce delays, accommodate future growth and create safer vehicular movements. This junction experiences significant congestion, especially during peak travel times and around shift changes at the nearby Volvo plant. Roundabouts are more efficient and safer than traditional intersections.
The overall cost of this project is $13 million and Branch Civil, Inc. will be the contractor. It is expected to be completed in early summer 2028.
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August 5, 2026 @ 1:23 pm
This round about will only be a nuisance and I absolutely hate to say it but a total hazard to this area. With Volvo and other businesses getting off including our schools all around the same time it will be a total mess. I just pray that no one gets hurt with this absolute ridiculous idea. A red light would have been a much cheaper and less dangerous idea. Anyone that has been in the Volvo parking lot at shift change can attest to this and validate how ridiculous this is. It will not only be a eye sore and an expensive one at that but a total hazard to everyone. I worry more for the schools then anyone.
August 5, 2026 @ 3:54 pm
Roundabouts are much safer a lot more efficient than stop lights. The problem is most people around here have never drove on a roundabout and don’t have the common sense to figure out how easy they are to drive. So yes, it might be a hazard to some idiots but for most people it’ll be perfectly safe.
August 5, 2026 @ 3:59 pm
To Viva, that shows a lack of knowledge of roundabouts. Many very large cities have roundabouts in place of lights, all over the world. They have repeatedly been shown to be safer while keeping the traffic flowing better.
August 5, 2026 @ 8:43 pm
You speak as if people are just to dumb to figure out a roundabout. But what you also need to take into consideration is elderly and new drivers. Teen drivers are barely being taught the basics in driving schools anymore. And the elderly who may never have had to experience a roundabout could also get confused on how they work. They can be confusing. And although it maybe easier for some the picture needs to be looked at as whole.
August 6, 2026 @ 9:50 am
Roundabouts are the safest. To all that’s have kids, please teach them how to drive. Driving starts with learners permit that requires adult supervision. So the abilities of teen driver is directly related to the quality of parental supervision and their ability to comprehend. Neither of these are the fault of a traffic circle. For the elderly, all it takes is a little discussion from the community to explain the process or yielding. Again, it a personal choice to be bad at driving and against advancements in transportation.
August 6, 2026 @ 7:34 am
Put in a traffic light
August 6, 2026 @ 9:23 am
Agree. Roundabouts, if planned correctly, greatly improve traffic flow. Granted when I have to drive to NJ for work or travel to Tampa to visit family I get a bit confused since I don’t use them often. But they do eliminate the bottle necks that come with traffic lights.
This will be similar to removing the traffic lights in Pulaski and changing one to two way streets. I LOVE the 4 way stops, but many complained. I also love 2 way streets, but of course others will never get used to it (or accept it). The roundabout will allow Volvo and school traffic to move more quickly.
August 6, 2026 @ 11:29 am
Anyone who has been stuck in Volvo traffic will want to get out and kiss the roundabout when it’s finished. No more waiting forever at the intersection. Just drive on through!
Yes, it will cause some confusion. That’s life. Traffic light is not the best solution and wouldn’t allow free flow of traffic which is the desired outcome. Yes, much planning and thought was put into this. They didn’t pull the idea out of the air.
Here’s a better picture of what’s in store:
https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/news-events/news/salem-district/roundabout-construction-begins-at-cougar-trail-road-and-newburn-heights-drive-in-pulaski-county.php
August 6, 2026 @ 2:20 pm
A smart traffic light would have been a better, quicker solution and far less confusing to drivers who have rarely/never been exposed to a traffic circle. Even seasoned drivers who use traffic circles frequently will have difficulty with a one lane circle. All it will take during extremely busy times is someone in the lead who stops overcome with fear to cause a huge backup of road raged drivers.
August 6, 2026 @ 6:54 pm
Anyone worried about out the roundabout needs to go to Blacksburg by way of Prices Fork Road.
The is one just past the new Prices Fork Elementary and one at the end of Prices Fork where it intersects Main Street.
Go there next summer (2027) and practice. Then go there next fall (2027) after Virginia Tec is back in school. These work and they have signs instructing drivers what to do.
Take your kids that have their learners or ask their Behind the Wheel instructor to take them.
People don’t like change and some seem to drive on autopilot. These do require the driver to PAY ATTENTION!
August 7, 2026 @ 8:05 am
Eileen, a smart traffic light would only help the lanes with the heaviest traffic. The 2 or 3 cars waiting on a less traveled road for the light to change would suffer because the road with heavy traffic gets priority while the others would wait 2 or even 3 cycles to get a green! I’ve dealt with “smart” traffic lights and had this happen to me. Waited until the THIRD cycle to go which was annoying. Also, sometimes they only let a few cars through before turning red again and making you wait 2 more cycles to pass. That would be the worst solution possible.