Staunton: Update on $4.6 million Downtown Tunnel Repairs project

The Downtown Tunnel Repairs project in Downtown Staunton entered its next major phase on Monday.

The $4.6 million city project shifted its focus of operations from Byers Street to West Johnson Street today, which will bring significant changes to downtown traffic and parking patterns.

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Details

• For the latest timelines, a visual guide to the detours, and answers to frequently asked questions, visit va.us/tunnelrepairs.

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Per a release from the city, Byers Street, which has been closed to through traffic since March 2025, will officially reopen to one-way, eastbound traffic.

Meanwhile, West Johnson Street will close in front of a portion of the Johnson Street Parking Garage to allow for the excavation and replacement of a section of the aging stormwater tunnel beneath the roadway.

During the Johnson Street phase, which is scheduled for completion next spring, the following traffic patterns will be in effect:

• Johnson Street will be closed to westbound traffic at Augusta Street, and closed to eastbound traffic just beyond the entrance to the Johnson Street Parking Garage.
• Byers Street will operate as a one-way eastbound detour (from Lewis Street to Johnson Street).
• Central Avenue will remain open to vehicular traffic.
• Johnson Street (open section): The open section of Johnson Street between Central Avenue and Augusta Street will become a one-way eastbound route.
• Pedestrian Access: Safe pedestrian access will be maintained to The Wharf from Central Avenue and the garage entrance.

Parking information

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While overall downtown parking capacity will actually increase during this phase (approximately 25 more available spaces than during Byers Street phase), the city is advising residents and visitors to anticipate a brief one- to two-day window this week where the majority of The Wharf parking lot will be temporarily off-limits.

This short-term disruption is necessary to allow crews to safely move heavy machinery, materials, and barricades from the Byers Street site over to the new Johnson Street staging area.

Once the equipment shift is complete, the eastern portion of the Wharf Parking Lot will reopen to the public.

The lower section of the western portion of the Wharf Parking Lot will remain open.  Parking in the Wharf lot and the Johnson Street Garage will continue to remain free during this time.