Strasburg: CTB contracts I-81 southbound widening project to Lorton company

The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $58.6 million contract to Shirley Contracting Company LLC of Lorton on Tuesday to widen approximately four miles of Interstate 81 southbound near Strasburg.

The project is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP) to unlock I-81 by enhancing safety and reliability, reducing congestion and supporting economic growth.

“We’re eager to get started on these improvements for one of the busiest stretches of the interstate,” Dave Covington, I-81 Program Delivery Director for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), said. “Strasburg is the first widening in the northern Shenandoah Valley, but more projects are on the way.”

A third southbound lane will be constructed between mile marker 299.6 in Warren County and 295.4 in Shenandoah County. Widening will begin just south of exit 300 (I-66 junction) and continue through the exit 298 (Route 11) and exit 296 (Route 55) interchanges. The project replaces the southbound bridge over Cedar Creek, widens the southbound bridge over the CSX railway, and builds one mile of sound-barrier wall along northbound I-81 just south of exit 296.

I-81 southbound widening will take place toward the median, avoiding impacts on nearby historic battlefields and conservation areas. The project connects to a southbound acceleration lane extension recently completed at exit 300. Construction is expected to begin in early 2025 and be completed in fall 2028.

All work is weather permitting.

The $3 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along the 325 miles of I-81 in Virginia. Find out more 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 (construction starts in early 2025)
• Harrisonburg-area widening (construction starts in 2026)
• Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)