Southbound I-81 Overnight Closure Scheduled for September 19-20 near Staunton
STAUNTON - Interstate 81 South near Staunton is scheduled to be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday, September 19, through 4 a.m. Sunday, September 20. The closure allows contractors widening this portion of I-81 to install an overhead sign structure near the New Hope Road bridge overpass.
During the overnight closure:
- I-81 South drivers will detour at exit 225, follow the Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) bypass around Staunton, and rejoin the interstate at exit 220.
- I-81 South drivers who need to reach I-64 East will use exit 225, follow the Route 262 detour around Staunton, join I-81 North at exit 220 and then take exit 221 to go east on I-64.
- The ramps onto I-81 South from Route 262 and Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) at exit 225 will be closed.
To help minimize congestion while the detour is in place, there will be no left turns from southbound Route 262 onto northbound Route 11, or from southbound Route 11 onto southbound Route 262.
Digital message boards will alert motorists of the I-81 South closure and advise them to follow the green-and-white “Emergency Route A” signs through the detour.
All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change. In the event of a postponement, the closure and detour would take place the weekend of September 26-27.
The Staunton-area widening is being constructed under a $101 million design-build contract, as part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP). The project is scheduled for final completion in summer 2027, but all three northbound lanes are expected to open to traffic in late fall of 2026.
Other major I-81 CIP projects in the VDOT Staunton District include:
- Weyers Cave truck-climbing lanes (scheduled for completion in late 2027)
- Strasburg-area widening (scheduled for completion in fall 2028)
- Harrisonburg-area widening (scheduled for completion in spring 2032)
- Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)
The nearly $4 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along I-81 in Virginia to enhance safety, reduce congestion and unlock the region for further economic growth. Find out more at Improve81.org. The website includes interactive maps, videos and podcasts, and details about upcoming and current projects.
The VDOT Customer Service Center operates 24/7 to help roadway users report potential hazards, make service requests or get information related to Virginia’s transportation network. Use its mobile friendly website or call 800-367-7623.
Find the VDOT Staunton District on Facebook and X and follow VDOT statewide social media accounts. News releases, travel tips and project updates are on the VDOT website.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
