I-81 overnight delays expected for bridge work near Staunton

STAUNTON — Bridge work on Interstate 81 in Augusta County requires overnight alternating lane closures and slow-roll traffic control (rolling roadblocks) on the nights of Sept. 3-5, 2024. The traffic restrictions are for painting of the Route 635 overpass bridge, under construction between mile marker 220 and 221 near Staunton. Details are as follows:

• Tuesday night (Sept. 3) from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., northbound I-81 will have alternating lane closures.
• Wednesday night (Sept. 4) from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., southbound I-81 will have alternating lane closures.
• Thursday night (Sept. 5) southbound I-81 will have a left lane closure from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m. and slow-roll traffic control from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

A slow roll is a traffic management operation where a traffic gap is created by reducing approaching traffic speeds to as low as 10 mph. This gap allows work, such as bridge beam placement, to safely take place free of live traffic. Traffic can also be temporarily stopped and held by a lead vehicle in each lane.

All work is weather permitting, and the schedule is subject to change.

The Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) overpass bridge replacement is part of a project to construct a new auxiliary lane on southbound I-81 between exit 221 (I-64 junction) and exit 220 (Route 262 south). Route 635 in the area of the bridge over I-81 is closed through mid-2025 due to the bridge replacement. Detour routes and information are on the VDOT project page.

The I-81 southbound auxiliary lane and Route 635 bridge replacement project is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), to improve safety, increase reliability and foster economic growth along the 325-mile corridor in Virginia. Additional information about the program is at Improve81.org.

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/.