Controlled blasting operations are set to begin the week of October 27 near mile marker 297 on Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County, close to Strasburg. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced that these blasts will occur once or twice a week between 10 a.m. and noon, from Tuesday to Thursday, continuing through early December.
According to VDOT, just before each controlled blast, “Virginia State Police will use a slow roll to briefly stop I-81 northbound and southbound motorists between exit 296 (Route 55) and exit 298 (Route 11).” A slow roll is described as a traffic management operation where traffic speeds are reduced to create a gap for work to be conducted safely without live traffic. Typically, each slow roll lasts no more than 15 minutes.
During blasting periods, flaggers will also temporarily stop traffic on Route 55 near the I-81 interchange. The blasts may be audible in the Strasburg area.
No blasting activities are scheduled for Election Day (November 4), Veterans Day (November 11), or during Thanksgiving week.
These operations are part of an ongoing project to widen I-81 just south of the I-66 junction at exit 300. The project includes adding a third southbound lane over approximately four miles, replacing the Cedar Creek bridge, widening another bridge over the CSX railway, and constructing one mile of sound-barrier wall along northbound I-81 just south of exit 296.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded Shirley Contracting Company LLC a $58.6 million contract for this work in October 2024. Completion is planned for fall 2028. More details about the project can be found on the VDOT project page.
This initiative is part of Virginia’s $4 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for I-81, which encompasses sixty-five construction projects and operational improvements across its entire length in Virginia. Additional information about other major projects—including those underway in Staunton and Weyers Cave as well as future projects in Harrisonburg and Winchester—is available at Improve81.org, which offers maps, videos, newsletters, and updates.
For real-time travel information or alerts related to road conditions and closures, travelers can dial 511 or visit the official website. The VDOT Customer Service Center is also available around-the-clock by phone or online for service requests or transportation-related inquiries.
VDOT encourages residents to follow their regional social media channels for updates on construction progress and travel advisories.
