A major Virginia Department of Transportation project that begins this spring will significantly change the entrances to the south end of the Virginia Tech campus.

VDOT will build a new grade-separated interchange to replace the intersection of Southgate Drive and U.S. 460 and relocate Research Center Drive to allow for the expansion of the Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport. The new interchange and roads should be open for traffic in late 2018, according to VDOT's schedule.

The $38.7 million project was approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board at its monthly meeting Wednesday. Branch Highways Inc. out of Roanoke, Virginia, was selected as the contractor.

“This is an important project for Virginia Tech and the entire region. It will improve safety and traffic and create a beautiful entrance to campus,” said Sherwood Wilson, vice president for administration.

The new interchange will be built approximately 1,900 feet southeast from the current traffic signal on U.S. 460. It will allow for possible expansion of the Corporate Research Center to university land on the southwest side of U.S. 460.

A new Southgate Drive will carry vehicles from the interchange to a roundabout at Duck Pond Drive.

Construction of the interchange will begin this spring. Initial work will take place along U.S. 460 and VDOT expects little impact to traffic. The Dairy Science Complex is being moved to Kentland Farm prior to the start of construction.