Motorists traveling on southbound Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County should expect overnight left-lane closures starting March 29, as preliminary engineering work begins for a widening project between Raphine and Fairfield, according to a March 23 announcement from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).
The upcoming construction is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which aims to enhance safety and reduce congestion along this major route. The closures will occur weeknights from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. through mid-June, with some weekend overnight work possible. Crews will conduct test borings and collect soil samples in preparation for expanding the interstate from two lanes to three lanes over more than five miles between Exit 205 and Exit 200.
During the first week, work will focus near Exit 200 at Fairfield, where crews plan preliminary engineering at the bridge over Route 710 (Sterrett Road). This phase will require single lane closures along both Route 710 and southbound I-81 in Fairfield. Following that, crews will move toward Raphine at Exit 205 and continue working southbound over several weeks. Motorists are advised to be alert for shoulder closures and construction equipment entering or exiting the work zone; all schedules depend on weather conditions.
The Rockbridge widening is one of several major projects under VDOT’s CIP in the Staunton District, including truck-climbing lanes near Weyers Cave scheduled for completion in late 2027, Strasburg-area widening set for fall 2028 completion, Harrisonburg-area widening beginning construction in spring 2026, and Winchester-area widening slated to start in 2028.
The nearly $4 billion CIP consists of about sixty-five construction projects plus operational improvements designed to improve travel throughout Virginia’s portion of Interstate 81. More information can be found at Improve81.org.
According to the official website, VDOT centers its efforts on building, maintaining, and operating roads, bridges, and tunnels across Virginia with an emphasis on safety and efficiency. The agency manages one of the nation’s largest state highway systems—covering tens of thousands of lane-miles—and provides services such as highway maintenance and traffic management through tools like Virginia 511 as well as oversight for land-use permits along state routes according to VDOT. As noted by VDOT’s official website, it oversees planning, construction, maintenance statewide; its origins trace back to the State Highway Commission established in 1906.
VDOT’s headquarters are located at 1221 East Broad Street in Richmond according to VDOT.
