The westbound lane closures on the Route 33 (East Market Street) bridge over Interstate 81 in the City of Harrisonburg will be extended until around noon on February 8.
Motorists should be aware that upon reopening of the Route 33 westbound lanes, traffic will be restored to the same work zone traffic pattern that existed prior to the bridge deck work. The newly poured bridge decks will not open to traffic until other parts of the project are completed.
The westbound lane closures are necessary to complete the last of three bridge deck pour operations. The third deck pour was scheduled for February 5 but is delayed until February 7 due to forecasted inclement weather. The first deck pour was completed successfully last week. The second deck pour was done on February 3.
The bridge closed on January 28 to allow contractors time for three deck-pours. A deck pour consists of applying concrete to create a deck surface that will support traffic.
The westbound bridge deck pour work requires 24-hour closures on the Route 33 bridge over I-81. The work is part of the ongoing bridge and interchange project at I-81 exit 247. The closure is necessary for the pouring operations and curing time for new bridge decks.
Advance warning digital message boards are posted on the westbound lanes of Route 33 and also on the northbound lanes of I-81 to alert motorist of the closures.
The westbound Route 33 lane closures extend from the intersection of Linda Lane and Burgess Road and continue across the I-81 overpass bridge.
Drivers should use the following detour:
Westbound Route 33 drivers will turn left on Burgess Road, right on Evelyn Byrd Avenue, right on Reservoir Street and the right on South Carlton Street to return to Route 33.
The I-81 exit 247 entrance ramp onto northbound I-81 from westbound Route 33, will remain open during this time period.
The I-81 northbound exit 247B ramp onto westbound Route 33 will be closed during this same time period.
All northbound I-81 drivers who need to access westbound Route 33 during the closure will take exit 247A. Digital message boards will be posted along I-81 northbound lanes in advance of exit 247, alerting motorist that exit ramp 247B will be closed and to use exit 247A. Detour signs will then guide those drivers wishing to go westbound on Route 33 to follow the posted detour route.
All work is weather permitting, and the schedule is subject to change. The Virginia Department of Transportation will provide updates as necessary.
VDOT contractors are replacing the two Route 33 bridges over I-81 at exit 247 and the two railway bridges just west of the interchange. The project includes several improvements to the exit 247 interchange. A work-zone speed limit of 25 miles an hour is in place on Route 33 for the duration of the project, which is scheduled for completion in summer 2026. Additional information is available on the VDOT project page.
In July 2022 a $43.3 million contract was awarded to Triton Construction Inc. of Virginia, headquartered in St. Albans, W.Va.
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Rebecca Barnabi
