Rockingham County: Daytime lane closure on southbound I-81 for emergency pavement repairs

The right lane of southbound Interstate 81 in Rockingham County is scheduled to be closed from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 17.

During the same 16-hour time period, the southbound on-ramp from Route 257 at exit 240 (Mount Crawford/Bridgewater) will be closed. These traffic restrictions are for emergency milling and paving between mile marker 240 and 237.6.

Extreme cold weather recently caused numerous potholes to form in the southbound right lane through this area, and repaving is intended to provide a durable, long-term repair.

This lane closure may cause significant congestion from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on December 17. Southbound I-81 drivers can minimize delays by using exit 240 and then following Route 257 west, Route 11 south and Route 256 east to return to the interstate at exit 235 (Weyers Cave/Grottoes) in Augusta County. Motorists affected by the on-ramp closure at exit 240 will need to follow this alternate route to access southbound I-81. Virginia State Police will assist with traffic control.

Interstate maintenance crews are also patching individual potholes along I-81 at various locations in Rockingham and Augusta counties. This will continue on an as-needed basis using mobile lane closures during overnight hours. 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.