FRANKLIN
Crews with the Virginia Department of Transportation have replaced the 66-inch pipe under U.S. Route 58 east that was damaged during Hurricane Matthew and created a large sinkhole on the highway.

On Friday, VDOT begun shifting traffic to the outside travel lanes on U.S. 58 East between the Pretlow Street Bridge and the Suffolk city line at the Blackwater Bridge so crews can remove a temporary crossover and barrier wall. The inside travel lanes in each direction will be closed for work, which is expected to take two weeks.

Upon completion, all lanes of U.S. 58 will reopen and traffic will shift back to its original pattern. All work is dependent upon weather conditions.

Motorists are advised to use extreme caution during the traffic shift. The speed limit will remain at 45 miles per hour until work in the median is complete.