Rockingham County: Southbound I-81 overnight closures for bridge removal

Southbound Interstate 81 motorists can expect overnight closures near the exit 257 (Mauzy/Broadway/Timberville) interchange in Rockingham County Oct. 5-8.

These closures, scheduled for Monday through Thursday nights, allow contractors to finish dismantling and removing the old Route 11 (Valley Pike) bridge over the interstate. A new Route 11 bridge opened to traffic in mid-September.

Each night of bridge-removal operations, the left lane of I-81 southbound closes at 8 p.m. Both southbound lanes will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. I-81 southbound traffic will detour onto the exit and entrance ramps at exit 257. Virginia State Police will direct traffic at the intersection of Route 259 (Mayland Road), Route 11 and the I-81 southbound ramps.

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 2019 the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $12.6 million construction contract to A&J Development and Excavation Inc. of Mount 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.

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