Harrisonburg: Travel headaches likely for drivers next week at Route 33, I-81

Drivers in Harrisonburg will encounter some headaches next week with major road closures including Route 33 and Interstate 81 ramps around exit 247.

Detours will be set up for Route 33 and the four ramps at the exit with Route 33.

Work will take place from Feb 16-20, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Route 33 will be closed between Carlton Street and Linda Lane/Burgess Road.

Contractors will be pouring concrete for a new Route 33 bridge over the Norfolk Southern railway.

The ramps will be closed for final storm drainage installation as part of an interchange improvement project.

Digital signs will alert drivers to the road and ramp closures.

All work is weather permitting, and the schedule is subject to change.

Route 33/Interstate 81 ramp detours

• Westbound drivers on Route 33: Turn left on Burgess Road, right on Evelyn Byrd Avenue, right on Reservoir Street and then right on South Carlton Street to return to Route 33.
• Eastbound drivers on Route 33: Turn right on South Carlton Street, left on Reservoir Street, left on Evelyn Byrd Avenue, and then left on Burgess Road to return to Route 33.
• The exit 247A ramp from southbound I-81 to eastbound Route 33 will be closed. Southbound I-81 drivers who need to reach eastbound Route 33 will continue south on I-81 to exit 245 (Port Republic Road). Drivers will turn left on Port Republic Road, turn left onto I-81 northbound, and then take exit 247A to eastbound Route 33.
• The exit 247B ramp from southbound I-81 to westbound Route 33 will be closed. Southbound I-81 drivers who need to reach westbound Route 33 will continue south on I-81 and use exit 245 (Port Republic Road). Motorists will turn left on Port Republic Road and turn left onto northbound I-81. Drivers will then exit I-81 at exit 247A, turn right onto Burgess Road, right onto Evelyn Byrd Avenue, right on Reservoir Street and then right on South Carlton Street to return to Route 33.
• The exit 247B ramp from northbound I-81 to westbound Route 33 will be closed. Northbound I-81 drivers who need to reach westbound Route 33 will take exit 247A, turn right on Burgess Road, right on Evelyn Byrd Avenue, right on Reservoir Street and then right on South Carlton Street to return to Route 33.
• The ramp from eastbound and westbound Route 33 onto southbound I-81 will be closed. Route 33 motorists who need to reach southbound I-81 will detour to the exit 245 interchange on Port Republic Road. Eastbound drivers will turn right on South Carlton Street, left on Reservoir Street, right on Neff Avenue, and then right on Port Republic Road to reach I-81. Westbound drivers will turn left on Burgess Road, right on Evelyn Byrd Avenue, left onto Reservoir Street, right on Neff Avenue, and then right on Port Republic Road to reach I-81.