Commonwealth Transportation Board awards contract for I-81 southbound widening at Strasburg

STAUNTON — The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on Oct. 22 awarded a $58.6 million contract to Shirley Contracting Company LLC of Lorton, Virginia, to widen about four miles of Interstate 81 southbound near Strasburg. This project is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP) to unlock I-81 by enhancing safety and reliability, reducing congestion and supporting economic growth.

A third southbound lane will be constructed between mile marker 299.6 in Warren County and 295.4 in Shenandoah County. Widening will begin just south of exit 300 (I-66 junction) and continue through the exit 298 (Route 11) and exit 296 (Route 55) interchanges. The project replaces the southbound bridge over Cedar Creek, widens the southbound bridge over the CSX railway, and builds one mile of sound-barrier wall along northbound I-81 just south of exit 296.

I-81 southbound widening will take place toward the median, avoiding impacts on nearby historic battlefields and conservation areas. The project connects to a southbound acceleration lane extension recently completed at exit 300. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025 and be completed in fall 2028. All work is weather permitting.

“We’re eager to get started on these improvements for one of the busiest stretches of the interstate,” says Dave Covington, I-81 Program Delivery Director for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “Strasburg is the first widening in the northern Shenandoah Valley, but more projects are on the way.”

The $3 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along the 325 miles of I-81 in Virginia. Find out more at Improve81.org. The website includes interactive maps, videos and podcasts, and details about upcoming and current projects.

Other major I-81 CIP projects in the VDOT Staunton District include:

• Staunton-area widening (under construction)
• Weyers Cave truck-climbing lanes (construction starts in early 2025)
• Harrisonburg-area widening (construction starts in 2026)
• Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

Obtain traffic alerts and traveler information by dialing 511 or visiting 511Virginia.org. For other assistance, call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Dial 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X (Twitter). Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, X and YouTube. The VDOT Web page is at https://vdot.virginia.gov/.