Update: 3:39 p.m. Both southbound lanes of Interstate 81 have reopened in Augusta County. Shortly after 3 p.m., Virginia State Police led traffic on a “slow roll” from exit 220, where vehicles had been detoured since this morning’s tractor trailer accident.
Original Post: 10:13 a.m. Drivers may continue to experience delays on southbound I-81 and westbound I-64 until traffic returns to normal. Related congestion is also possible in the city of Staunton.
At 8:06 a.m., Virginia State Police responded to a two-vehicle crash in the southbound lanes of Interstate 81 near the 220 mile marker in Augusta County. Two tractor-trailers collided in the southbound lanes. There is one confirmed fatality.
One of the tractor-trailers was hauling drums of liquid chocolate, several of which ruptured in the crash. Both southbound lanes of Interstate 81 are closed, and the closure may remain in effect for several hours, and is also expected to cause congestion on roads around the city of Staunton.
A detour route is being established for southbound I-81 traffic. Drivers will be directed off the interstate at exit 220 onto Route 262. They will turn south on Route 11 and re-enter the interstate at exit 213 near Greenville.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org. For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.
The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter andYouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located atwww.VirginiaDOT.org.
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Chris Graham
