Catherine McGhee P.E. Chief Deputy Commissioner | Virginia Department of Transportation
Catherine McGhee P.E. Chief Deputy Commissioner | Virginia Department of Transportation
Overnight lane closures are set to begin on southbound Interstate 81 near Strasburg starting Monday, March 10. The closures are part of the early stages of a construction project aimed at adding a third southbound lane between mile marker 299.6 in Warren County and mile marker 295.4 in Shenandoah County. These restrictions will be implemented from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m., typically from Sunday through Thursday nights, weather permitting.
The first phase, occurring during the week of March 10-14, involves alternating lane closures for guardrail work within the four-mile work zone. Following this, right-lane closures will take place for about three weeks beginning around March 17 to allow shoulder-strengthening activities. In early to mid-April, left lane closures will facilitate the installation of concrete barriers along the median.
A reduced speed limit of 60 miles per hour will be enforced with the start of barrier installation and remain throughout the project duration. Motorists traveling both northbound and southbound should stay alert for construction vehicles entering and exiting the area.
This widening effort is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), located just south of the I-66 junction at exit 300. The project also includes replacing a bridge over Cedar Creek, widening another over CSX railway tracks, and constructing one mile of sound-barrier wall along northbound I-81 near exit 296 (Route 55).
In October 2024, Shirley Contracting Company LLC was awarded a $58.6 million contract by the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for this project, which is expected to conclude by fall 2028.
The CIP encompasses $3 billion worth of improvements across Virginia's I-81 corridor to enhance safety and reduce congestion while promoting economic growth in the region. More information can be found at Improve81.org.
Other significant projects under VDOT's Staunton District include Staunton-area widening currently underway; Weyers Cave truck-climbing lanes starting in March 2025; Harrisonburg-area widening beginning in early 2026; and Winchester-area widening slated for commencement in 2028.
For real-time traffic updates or traveler information, dial "511" or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/. Additionally, VDOT’s Customer Service Center is available at any time via phone at "800-FOR-ROAD" or through their website https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.
Stay connected with VDOT's Staunton District on Facebook and X (Twitter), or follow statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube for further updates.
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