Interstate 81 southbound lane closures expected through mid-June

The left lane of Interstate 81 southbound in Rockbridge County will be closed beginning on March 29, from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. on weeknights.

Some closures may extend into the weekend. The work should be completed by mid-June, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.

The lane closure is necessary to complete engineering work for a widening project from Raphine to Fairfield.

During this time, crews will do test borings to collect soil samples as they prepare for the planned southbound widening from exit 205 to exit 200.

The first week will focus on the area near exit 200 at Fairfield, where crews will do preliminary engineering at the bridge over Route 710 (Sterrett Road). That will require single lane closures along both Route 710 and southbound I-81 in Fairfield.

After that initial week, crews will move to the Raphine area at exit 205 and will work their way southbound.

Drivers should be alert for shoulder closures and construction equipment entering and exiting the work zone.

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ICYMI

• Rockbridge County: VDOT to widen Interstate 81 from two lanes to three

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The southbound interstate will be widened from two lanes to three lanes for more than five miles. Construction is part of an I-81 Corridor Improvement Program.

Other major I-81 CIP projects in the VDOT Staunton District include:

• Weyers Cave truck-climbing lanes (scheduled for completion in late 2027)
• Strasburg-area widening (scheduled for completion in fall 2028)
• Harrisonburg-area widening (construction starts in spring 2026)
• Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)

The nearly $4 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along I-81 in Virginia to enhance safety and reduce congestion.