Drivers on I-81 should expect closures this week due to repair project

Staunton, Virginia – Drivers using I-81 in Rockbridge County should expect workers to resume work on a portion of the interstate this week.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says a $4.7 million project to ease traffic congestion and improve safety at exit 205 (Raphine Road) will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Weather permitting, overnight ramp closures are planned for a few nights to allow workers to install temporary concrete barriers along the ramps between I-81 South and Route 606

From 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., Virginia State Police will have troopers enforcing the ramp closures in the following locations:

• Sept. 7-9 (Tuesday through Thursday nights): The off-ramp from I-81 south to Route 606 will be closed. Southbound I-81 motorists who need to access Route 606 can take Exit 213A (Greenville) and follow Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway) south for around eight miles to Route 606.
• Sept. 14-16 (Tuesday through Thursday nights): The on-ramp from Route 606 to I-81 south will be closed. Route 606 motorists who need access to I-81 south can take Route 606 east to Route 11 south and onto Route 710 (Sterrett Road) west to the Exit 200 interchange with I-81 at Fairfield.

On the I-81 ramps, drivers should expect shoulder closures 24 hours a day, seven days a week, as well as flagging operations on Route 606.

From 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., as well as between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday evenings, flagger traffic control may be required.

During the work, additional ramp closures along I-81 may be needed.