Bridge work requires traffic restrictions for drivers on Interstate 81 and Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) near Staunton.
Contractors will set steel girders for widening of the southbound I-81 bridge over Route 250. The work is scheduled during overnight hours for up to four nights starting Monday, June 16.
On Monday night (June 16) from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m.:
Eastbound Route 250 will be restricted to a single lane in the area of the I-81 interchange.
Virginia State Police (VSP) will periodically stop all traffic using eastbound Route 250 for up to 15 minutes at a time.
VSP will periodically stop traffic using the southbound I-81 exit 222 off-ramp onto Route 250. Traffic will be held at the bottom of the off-ramp for up to 15 minutes at a time.
On Tuesday night (June 17) from 10 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.:
Westbound Route 250 will be restricted to a single lane in the area of the I-81 interchange.
Virginia State Police (VSP) will periodically stop all traffic using westbound Route 250 for up to 15 minutes at a time.
The northbound I-81 exit 222 off-ramp to Route 250 will be closed. Northbound I-81 motorists needing to access Route 250 will continue north to exit 225, briefly follow Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) north to access southbound I-81, and then take exit 222 to Route 250.
Motorists should be alert for single-lane closures on eastbound or westbound Route 250 all four nights of the overhead bridge work from June 16 to 19. Work schedules are subject to change due to weather conditions and other factors.
The bridge work is part of a project to add a third lane to northbound and southbound I-81 between exit 221 (I-64 junction) and exit 225 (Route 262 north). The Staunton-area widening, which includes widening of five bridges, is part of the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP).
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in March 2023 awarded a $101 million design-build contract to Kokosing Construction Company Inc. of Westerville, Ohio. Completion is scheduled for summer 2027. Additional information about the I-81 Staunton-area widening 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:
Weyers Cave-area truck-climbing lanes (under construction)
Strasburg-area southbound widening (under construction)
Harrisonburg-area widening (construction starts in 2026)
Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)
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Rebecca Barnabi
