Wythe County was one of 12 counties in Southwest Virginia awarded funds from the VDOT Commonwealth Transportation Board to repair and replace bridges. Wythe “Bucky” Sharitz, Wythe County Board of Supervisor’s chairman, believes the repairs will make roads safer for all county residents and visitors to travel.

Among the three bridge projects, which include eight individual bridges, Wythe County was awarded nearly $3 million dollars in repairs.

A $1.1 million dollar contract was awarded to Lanford Brothers Company, Inc., Roanoke, to repair six bridges on Interstate 81. Elk Knob, Inc. of Pennington Gap, received $287,664 to replace a portion of the Route 614 bridge over Beaverdame Creek on Ramsey Mountain Road.

In addition, Olympus Painting Contractors, Inc. of Tarpon Springs, Fla., received a $1.7 million contract to make bridge repairs at Interstate 81 Exit 81 in the Fort Chiswell area of Wythe County and at Interstate 77 Exit 64 in the Rocky Gap area of Bland County.

Regular maintenance, repairs and replacements of bridges have proven benefits not only to driver safety but also to environmental and economical stability. Sharitz feels VDOT is taking good care of Wythe County residents and is grateful.

“[The Board of Supervisors] realizes the importance of bridges to serve Wythe County citizens,” said Shartiz. “We compliment VDOT on their support of Wythe County.”

Shartiz added the repairs will be a great benefit to families and children in the county as it will make students traveling to and from school safer.

The collective $5.4 million dollars awarded went to other counties comprising of Washington, Smyth, Lee, Scott, Russell, Buchanan, Tazwell, Bland, Wise, Dickenson, and Grayson.