Rockingham County: I-81 northbound off-ramp closure at Exit 257 set for Wednesday

The off-ramp from Interstate 81 northbound to Route 11 at Exit 257 in Rockingham County is scheduled for an overnight closure from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 6 a.m. Thursday.

This closure is for paving operations as part of the I-81 exit 257 reconstruction project.

Northbound I-81 motorists who need to reach Route 11 will continue north on I-81 to Exit 264 (New Market/Luray). At the bottom of the off-ramp, drivers will turn left on Route 211 and then left again to enter southbound I-81 and return to Exit 257. Changeable message signs will advise drivers of the closure and detour route.

The Virginia Department of Transportation also advises that a new traffic signal has been installed at the intersection of Route 11 and the I-81 northbound ramps. This signal is scheduled to go into temporary flash mode Monday morning, and into full operation on Thursday morning.

Motorists should be alert for the new signal and use caution as they approach this intersection.

The Exit 257 project includes a new Route 11 bridge over the interstate and realignment of Route 11 and Route 259 at the interchange. The new signal will improve traffic flow at the intersection of Route 11 and the northbound I-81 ramps.

In 2019 the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $12.6 million construction contract to A&J Development and Excavation Inc. of Moount Crawford. Completion is expected in spring 2021. 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 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 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 www.VirginiaDOT.org.

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