Overnight traffic delays are expected on Interstate 81 near exit 247 in Harrisonburg from August 25 to August 28 due to ongoing bridge construction. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) announced that slow-roll closures, also called rolling roadblocks, will be conducted between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. each night during this period.
Virginia State Police will guide the slow rolls to allow crews to install new structural steel girders for the final phase of the Route 33 (East Market Street) bridge replacement over I-81. This work is part of a larger project to replace four bridges and reconfigure the I-81 exit 247 interchange.
According to VDOT, “A slow roll creates a traffic gap by reducing approaching vehicle speeds to as low as 10 mph. This gap allows large cranes to place multi-ton steel beams without vehicles traveling beneath them. Traffic may also be temporarily stopped and held by a lead vehicle in each lane. Each slow roll operation typically lasts no more than 15 minutes.”
The northbound slow rolls will start at mile marker 241.6 near Mount Crawford, while southbound operations will begin at mile marker 253 just north of Harrisonburg. Temporary ramp closures are planned for northbound exit 243 (Route 11 south), exit 245 (Port Republic Road), and southbound exit 251 (Route 11 north).
All scheduled work depends on weather conditions and may change if necessary, according to VDOT updates.
Travelers can find updated information about these restrictions by dialing 511 or visiting the Virginia Department of Transportation’s online resources.
For additional assistance or to report road hazards, motorists can contact the VDOT Customer Service Center at any time via phone or its mobile website. Further details about projects and travel alerts are available on VDOT’s official site and through their social media accounts.
The VDOT Staunton District covers several counties including Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath.
