By Linwood Outlaw III -- Daily Staff Writer

WINCHESTER — Area drivers frustrated by disrupted traffic patterns from recent roadwork in the area can expect more detours and delays over the weekend — this time along U.S. 50.

Virginia Department of Transportation officials said a portion of U.S. 50 in the Hayfield area of Frederick County, about 4.5 miles west of Winchester, will be shut down for three days, beginning Friday, as Winchester and Western Railroad crews complete railroad crossing improvements, VDOT spokeswoman Sandy Myers said.

"We're just closing off the roads. Winchester and Western Railroad is doing all the [construction] work," Myers said.

Eastbound U.S. 50, between Va. 615 and Va. 614, will close at noon Friday, while westbound U.S. 50 from Va. 614 to Va. 615 will close at 7 p.m. Friday evening, according to this week's VDOT traffic alert. All lanes will reopen by 5 a.m. Monday.

Eastbound and westbound passenger vehicles will use detour routes on Va. 600 and Va. 614. The detour is four miles long, which will add about five to 10 minutes of travel time, according to a press release issued by VDOT.

During construction, eastbound truck traffic on U.S. 50 will detour onto Va. 600 north to Va. 684 east to U.S. 522 south to Va. 37 south to U.S. 50. Westbound truck traffic will travel to Va. 37 to U.S. 522 north to Va. 684 south to Va. 600 south to U.S. 50 west.

Temporary traffic signals will be installed at the intersections of U.S. 50 and Va. 600 and Va. 600 and Va. 614. Motorists should expect single-lane traffic at those intersections.

Several other road projects in the Winchester area have also altered traffic patterns in recent weeks. VDOT crews continue ongoing work to widen South Loudoun Street from 24 feet to 56 feet with a box culvert extension near Featherbed Lane and a 5-foot sidewalk. The length of the project is four-tenths of a mile and extends from just south of Weems Lane to just south of Featherbed Lane. The project is expected to be finished sometime in the fall.

Meanwhile, city officials said last week they will be performing utility work on Cork Street between South Loudoun and Braddock streets over a three-week period to replace water and sewer service lines and fire hydrants. Traffic will mostly be limited to one lane during the day, and both lanes will be open at night.

Also, city officials, in conjunction with the Stuart M. Perry Paving Co., recently completed paving projects on Pleasant Valley Road, Roosevelt Boulevard and Taft Avenue that resulted in delays and detours. Paving will begin on Kent Street on Saturday, but work should be finished that day, Public Works Director Tom Hoy said Wednesday.

Traffic in the city was also disrupted in recent weeks as CSX Railroad crews replaced rails, ties and switches within city limits.

* Contact Linwood Outlaw III at loutlaw@nvdaily.com