Travelers should prepare for overnight lane closures on Interstate 81 near Staunton, Virginia, starting July 15. These restrictions will involve both northbound and southbound lanes due to bridge widening work over Lewis Creek near mile marker 225.
On the nights of July 15-16, the northbound left lane will be closed from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. for equipment staging and beam placement. The following week, on July 23-24, southbound I-81 will be fully closed from 11 p.m. to 5:30 a.m., with traffic detouring at exit 225 onto Route 262 around Staunton before rejoining the interstate at exit 220.
Digital signs will inform drivers about these changes. All work is dependent on weather conditions and may be rescheduled if necessary.
This project is part of the larger Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which aims to widen five bridges between exits 221 and 225 as part of a $101 million contract awarded to Kokosing Construction Company Inc., with completion expected by summer 2027.
The CIP encompasses $3 billion in construction projects along I-81 in Virginia, focusing on safety improvements and congestion reduction. More information can be found at Improve81.org.
Other major projects under this program include truck-climbing lanes near Weyers Cave, southbound widening near Strasburg, and future widening projects in Harrisonburg and Winchester.
For traffic updates or assistance with road-related inquiries in Virginia, travelers can dial 511 or visit VDOT’s website at https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/. Additional resources are available through the VDOT Customer Service Center at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov or by calling their hotline.
VDOT maintains an online presence through various social media platforms including Facebook and X (Twitter). The Staunton District serves multiple counties across Virginia including Frederick, Shenandoah, Rockingham, Augusta, among others.
