VDOT | New Interstate 81 auxiliary lane opens southbound near Staunton

A new auxiliary lane on southbound Interstate 81 in Augusta County opened to traffic early Tuesday morning, August 26.

The auxiliary lane connects the on-ramp from exit 221 (I-64 junction) and the off-ramp to exit 220 (Route 262 south) near Staunton, and enhances safety and eases congestion where I-64 and I-81 meet by providing additional space for merging and exiting traffic.

Motorists should be alert for overnight right-lane closures and daytime shoulder closures as needed during final stages of construction.

All work is weather permitting. A work-zone speed limit of 60 miles an hour remains in place until final completion of the project.

The southbound auxiliary lane is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which included replacement of the Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) overpass bridge. The new structure, which opened to traffic in early June 2025, was designed to allow space for the auxiliary lane and any future widening of I-81.

In October 2023, the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $7.7 million construction contract to Fairfield-Echols LLC of Fishersville with a completion date of October 3, 2025. Additional information is on the VDOT project page.

The $3 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along I-81 in Virginia to enhance safety, reduce congestion and unlock the region for further economic growth. More information is available online, including interactive maps, videos and podcasts and details about upcoming and current projects.

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

· Staunton-area widening (under construction)

· Weyers Cave truck-climbing lanes (under construction)

· Strasburg-area southbound widening (under construction)

· Harrisonburg-area widening (construction starts in early 2026)

· Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)