Interstate 81 ramp, lane closures for week of Sept. 12-19

Motorists on Interstate 81 northbound in Shenandoah County can expect overnight lane and ramp closures over the next week. All of these closures are due to milling and paving between mile markers 265 and 274, as part of a pavement rehabilitation project.

Friday, September 12, from 10 p.m. until 9 a.m.: The right lane of I-81 northbound will be closed at various locations. In addition, the northbound on-ramp at exit 269 (Shenandoah Caverns/Mount Jackson) will be closed. Drivers wishing to access Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) can follow a detour to exit 273 (Mount Jackson/Basye).

Saturday, September 13, from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m.: The right lane of I-81 northbound will be closed at various locations.

Monday, September 15, from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m.: The right lane of I-81 northbound will be closed at various locations.

Tuesday, September 16, from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m.: The right lane of I-81 northbound will be closed at various locations. In addition, the northbound off-ramp at exit 273 (Shenandoah Caverns/Mount Jackson) will be closed. Drivers wishing to access Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) can follow a detour to exit 277 (Bowmans Crossing).

Wednesday, September 17, from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m.: The right lane of I-81 northbound will be closed at various locations. In addition, the northbound off- and on-ramps at exit 273 (Shenandoah Caverns/Mount Jackson) will be closed. Interstate drivers wishing to access Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) can follow a detour to exit 277 (Bowmans Crossing). Route 11 drivers who need to access northbound I-81 can also use exit 277.

Thursday, September 18, from 7 p.m. until 9 a.m.: The right lane of I-81 northbound will be closed at various locations.

Friday, September 19, from 10 p.m. until 9 a.m.: The right lane of I-81 northbound will be closed at various locations. In addition, the northbound off- and on-ramps at exit 273 (Shenandoah Caverns/Mount Jackson) will be closed. Interstate drivers wishing to access Route 11 (Old Valley Pike) can follow a detour to exit 277 (Bowmans Crossing). Route 11 drivers who need to access northbound I-81 can also use exit 277.

The Interstate 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.

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