The Virginia Department of Transportation announced on March 16 that southbound Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County will be closed from 6 p.m. Saturday, March 21, through about 9 a.m. Sunday, March 22, due to repairs on the Route 604 (North Street) overpass bridge near Woodstock.
The closure is expected to cause major delays not only on I-81 but also on Route 11 and other roadways in northern Shenandoah County as well as Frederick, Warren and Page counties. The work is necessary after a dump truck with a raised bed struck the bridge in September, causing significant damage to a structural beam.
During the closure period, contractors will cut through the bridge deck and railing, remove the damaged beam, and install a new one. Southbound I-81 traffic will detour at exit 291 (Toms Brook), travel east on Route 651 (Mount Olive Road), then south on Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) for about eight miles before returning west on Route 42 (Reservoir Road) to rejoin I-81 at Exit 283 (Woodstock). Additional closures include the northbound exit 291 off-ramp to Route 651 and certain lanes in Woodstock. On February 13, Route 604 was closed between Summit Avenue and Route 676; this closure is expected until April 30 with Spring Street serving as a detour route.
All scheduled work is weather dependent and may change if conditions require. For real-time updates or travel information, motorists are encouraged to dial 511 or visit the 511 Virginia website. The VDOT Customer Service Center operates around the clock for hazard reports or service requests via phone or its mobile-friendly website.
According to the official website, the Virginia Department of Transportation’s purpose centers on building, maintaining and operating roads, bridges and tunnels across Virginia to support safe and efficient transportation. The agency manages one of the nation’s largest state highway systems covering tens of thousands of lane-miles according to VDOT. It also provides services such as highway maintenance, traffic management through systems like Virginia 511, and oversight of land-use permits along state routes according to VDOT.
VDOT serves as a state agency overseeing planning, construction and maintenance of these systems according to VDOT. The department developed from the State Highway Commission established in 1906 through various iterations as Virginia’s infrastructure expanded according to VDOT. Its headquarters are located at 1221 East Broad Street in Richmond according to VDOT.
Broader impacts from this closure may affect regional travel patterns during repair work but are intended to restore safety following structural damage.
