Interstate 81 ramp closures in Shenandoah County begin tonight

As part of the Interstate 81 pavement rehabilitation project in Shenandoah County, milling and paving continues between mile markers 264 and 274 northbound. This week the work will result in right-lane closures along that stretch of the interstate, as well as the following ramp closures:

On Wednesday night, September 3, the northbound off-ramp at exit 269 (Shenandoah Caverns/Mount Jackson) will be closed from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning. Northbound drivers wishing to access Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) can follow a detour to exit 273 (Mount Jackson/Basye).

On Thursday and Saturday nights, September 4 and September 6, the northbound on- and off-ramps of exit 269 will be closed from 7 p.m. to 9 a.m. the following morning. Northbound drivers wishing to access Route 11 will be detoured to exit 273. Drivers who need to enter the interstate will follow a detour on Route 11 north to exit 273.

The I-81 pavement rehabilitation project extends from exit 264 at Route 211 in the New Market area, to just north of exit 273 at Route 292 in the Mount Jackson area. This project will help extend the life of the roadway bed on I-81 by strengthening the pavement and reducing the need for more frequent resurfacing projects. This in turn will reduce the need for future lane closures due to paving.

In September 2013 the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $10.7 million contract to W-L Construction & Paving, Inc. of Chilhowie, Virginia. The project is expected to be complete in October 2014,weather permitting.

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

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, Twitterand YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located atwww.VirginiaDOT.org.