On July 14, 2010, VDOT awarded a contract to widen a section of Rt. 221 in Roanoke County, Va. The purpose of the project is to improve safety by eliminating curves in this section of Rt. 221. The project will also increase capacity by widening the current two-lane section of Rt. 221 to a four-lane divided highway with a six-foot grass median and turn lanes. Rt. 745 (Ran Lynn Road) and Rt. 688 (Cotton Hill Road) will be realigned with Rt. 221. Two new bridges will be built to carry the new, relocated Rt. 221 (Bent Mtn. Road) over Back Creek. The Rt. 688 (Cotton Hill Road) bridge over Back Creek will be replaced.