Interstate 81 northbound motorists can expect overnight closures in the area of the exit 257 (Mauzy/Broadway/Timberville) interchange in Rockingham County next week.
These closures are scheduled for Monday through Thursday nights, Sept. 28 to Oct. 1, as contractors dismantle and remove the old Route 11 (Valley Pike) bridge over the interstate. Route 11 drivers have been using a new bridge since mid-September.
Each night of bridge-removal operations, the left lane of I-81 northbound will close at 8 p.m. Both northbound lanes will be closed from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. I-81 northbound traffic will use the exit and entrance ramps at exit 257 as a detour. Virginia State Police will direct traffic at the intersection of Route 11 and the I-81 northbound ramps.
When contractors finish removing the portion of the bridge over northbound I-81, they will proceed to the portion over the southbound lanes. This work will require similar closures on southbound I-81. The Virginia Department of Transportation will provide additional details in advance of these overnight closures.
The new Route 11 bridge over I-81 at exit 257 is part of a two-year interchange reconstruction project. During fall 2020 additional work includes realignment of Route 11 and Route 259 at the interchange. As part of this work a new signal will improve traffic flow at the intersection of Route 11 and the northbound I-81 exit and entrance ramps.
In June 2019 the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $12.6 million construction contract to A&J Development and Excavation Inc. of Mt. Crawford, Virginia. 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.
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Chris Graham
