Interstate 81 improvements in Augusta County lead to lane closures beginning June 28

VDOT is making upgrades at three Interstate 81 interchanges in Augusta County near Staunton. This project includes extensions of seven ramp acceleration and deceleration lanes at I-81 exits 220, 221 and 222. The work requires occasional lane closures during overnight hours from Thursday, June 28, through summer 2019.

Here is what motorists can expect during the initial stages of the project:

• Thursday, June 28: Overnight left lane closure from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on southbound I-81 from mile marker 224 to 222 for sign installation.
• Friday and Saturday, June 29-30: Daytime right shoulder closures from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on southbound I-81 from mile marker 224 to 222 for sign installation.
• Sunday and Monday, July 1-2: Overnight right lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on southbound I-81 from mile marker 224 to 222 for milling and paving and installation of concrete barriers.
• Monday, July 2: Overnight right lane closures from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. on northbound I-81 from mile marker 219 to 221 for milling and paving.

Beginning Tuesday, July 3, shoulder work will take place behind concrete barriers along southbound I-81 from mile marker 224 to 222, and should not affect traffic. VDOT will provide advance notice of future lane closures, which are expected to take place in September.

The I-81 interchange improvement project extends the ramp acceleration and deceleration lanes for northbound and southbound drivers at exit 220 (Route 262); the southbound ramp acceleration lane at exit 221 (from westbound I-64); the northbound ramp acceleration lane and southbound ramp deceleration lane at exit 222 (Route 250). These upgrades will improve safety and traffic flow by giving drivers more room to reach interstate speed, or slow down as they exit the interstate. This is a SMART SCALE project.

On May 23, 2018, VDOT awarded a $3.8 million contract to Kickin’ Asphalt Paving and Excavating LLC of Strasburg, Virginia. The contract completion date is July 12, 2019. All work is weather permitting.

Virginia traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at http://www.511Virginia.org.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist with reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or getting information related to Virginia’s roads. Call 800-FOR- ROAD (800-367-7623) or use its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov/. Agents are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at http://www.VirginiaDOT.org.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.