On or about the night of Sunday, May 18, contractors will begin installing a concrete barrier along the southbound and northbound left lanes of Interstate 81 near Strasburg.
The barrier will be between mile marker 299.6 in Warren County and 295.4 in Shenandoah County. From Sunday through Thursday nights for approximately two weeks, I-81 motorists may expect overnight left-lane closures in both directions, beginning on the southbound side of the interstate.
The work is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP) project to add a third southbound lane in the existing median within the project limits. Over the life of the project, most work will be in the median with concrete barriers separating traffic from the work area.
Recently completed shoulder strengthening along southbound I-81 allows traffic to move to the right, creating space for the concrete barriers. Following barrier installation, construction traffic may be entering and exiting the median in both the northbound and southbound lanes during daytime hours. Motorists are advised to use caution.
A work-zone speed limit of 60 miles per hour is in place for the life of the project. Motorists should also be alert for construction equipment moving in and out of the work zone at various locations.
All work is weather permitting.
The Strasburg-area widening, just south of the I-66 junction at exit 300, replaces a bridge over Cedar Creek, widens a bridge over the CSX railway, and builds one mile of sound-barrier wall along northbound I-81 just south of exit 296 (Route 55).
The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in October 2024 awarded a $58.6 million contract to Shirley Contracting Company LLC of Lorton, Virginia. Completion is scheduled for fall 2028. Additional information is on the VDOT project page.
The $3 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along the 325 miles of I-81 in Virginia. More information is available online with interactive maps, videos and podcasts, and details about upcoming and current projects.
Other major I-81 CIP projects in the VDOT Staunton District include:
Staunton-area widening (under construction)
Weyers Cave truck-climbing lanes (under construction)
Harrisonburg-area widening (construction starts in 2026)
Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)
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Rebecca Barnabi
