Northbound Interstate 81 near Staunton will be closed overnight from 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 7, until 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 8. The closure is to allow contractors working on the widening of this section of the interstate to prepare for a shift in the traffic pattern. After the work is completed, northbound drivers will move to the left near mile marker 224.3, just past the New Hope Road overpass bridge.
During this period, northbound I-81 drivers will be detoured at exit 220 and directed to use Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) around Staunton before rejoining I-81 at exit 225 north of the city. Drivers heading for I-64 eastbound should also use exit 220 and follow Route 262 before joining I-81 southbound at exit 225 and then taking exit 221 to go east on I-64. Westbound I-64 drivers who need access to northbound I-81 are advised to follow I-81 south to exit 220 and use the same detour route. On-ramps from Route 262 and Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) onto northbound I-81 will be closed during this time.
Digital message boards will notify motorists about the closure and guide them with green-and-white “Emergency Route C” signs through the detour.
Once reopened on Sunday morning, March 8, traffic on northbound I-81 will shift toward the median near mile marker 224.6 just past New Hope Road overpass bridge. This new pattern is expected to remain in place for several months.
All construction activities depend on weather conditions and may change if necessary.
The traffic shift supports phase-two widening of the northbound bridge over Lewis Creek as part of ongoing efforts to widen both directions of I-81 between exits 221 and 225 in Staunton. Drivers should watch for shoulder closures and construction vehicles entering or leaving the area.
The project is set for final completion in summer of 2027, but all three lanes going north are planned to open by late fall of 2026.
This widening project is being carried out under a $101 million design-build contract as part of Virginia’s Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP). Other major projects within VDOT’s Staunton District include truck-climbing lanes at Weyers Cave scheduled for completion in late 2027; Strasburg-area widening set for fall 2028; Harrisonburg-area widening starting spring 2026; and Winchester-area widening beginning in 2028.
The CIP includes nearly $4 billion worth of improvements across Virginia’s portion of Interstate 81 with more than sixty-five construction projects aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion, and supporting economic growth throughout the region. More information can be found at Improve81.org where maps, videos, podcasts, and details about current projects are available.
VDOT’s Customer Service Center operates around-the-clock for road users needing help reporting hazards or seeking transportation information via its mobile-friendly website or by calling 800‑367‑7623.
Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) builds, maintains, and operates roads across Virginia with an emphasis on safety and efficiency (official website). VDOT manages one of America’s largest state highway systems spanning tens of thousands of lane-miles (official website). The agency also provides services such as highway maintenance and traffic management through tools like Virginia 511 (official website), oversees planning and construction statewide (official website), has evolved since its founding as State Highway Commission in 1906 (official website), and is headquartered at 1221 East Broad Street in Richmond (official website).
Updates can also be found through VDOT’s local social media accounts or their main website, which offers news releases, travel tips, and project updates.
