I-81 interchange ramp extensions begin next week at Exit 317 In Frederick County

STAUNTON — Interchange improvements are scheduled to begin Monday, June 10, at Interstate 81 exit 317 (Route 11) in Frederick County near Winchester. Contractors for the Virginia Department of Transportation will extend the I-81 northbound acceleration lane (on-ramp from Route 11) and the I-81 southbound deceleration lane (off-ramp to Route 11) by about 1,300 feet.

Beginning the week of June 10 and extending into mid-July, I-81 northbound and southbound motorists can expect single-lane closures as needed. Lane closures are limited to overnight hours, Monday through Thursday nights from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

From mid-July through project completion in Fall 2024, concrete barriers will block the right shoulders of northbound and southbound I-81. The right shoulder closures will be in place 24/7.

During later phases of the project, the I-81 northbound on-ramp or southbound off-ramp may be closed during overnight hours due to paving operations. Detour signs and digital message boards will advise motorists of ramp closures and detour routes.

Acceleration and deceleration lane extensions enhance safety and traffic operations by providing more room for vehicles to reach interstate speed before merging, or slow down to exit at the interchange.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in June 2019 selected the I-81 exit 317 improvements for full funding through the SMART SCALE prioritization process, which objectively scores transportation projects using several data-driven measures.

On March 29, VDOT awarded a $1,775,430 contract to W-L Construction and Paving Inc. of Chilhowie, Va. The project has a contract completion date of November 12, 2024. All work is weather permitting.

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. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) 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/.