Work will begin this spring on a project to widen six miles of Interstate 81 in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
The $218.9 million project adds a third lane northbound and southbound from about one mile south of exit 243 to one mile north of exit 247. Eight bridges along the interstate will be replaced. The Pleasant Valley Road overpass bridge will also be addressed.
The widening project is expected to take six years to complete. The new travel lanes should be open by late 2031; the entire project should be completed by June 2032.
“This is one of the largest and most ambitious projects along the corridor,” said Dave Covington, I-81 program delivery director for the Virginia Department of Transportation.
The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded the construction contract to the West Virginia-based Triton Construction on Jan. 6. Triton Construction is currently in the final stages of exit 247 improvements.
The widening project is funded by the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program which aims to enhance safety and reduce congestion.
The first several months of construction will include strengthening of right shoulders and installation of temporary concrete barrier walls to protect the work zone. Both of these operations will take place during night and overnight hours to limit the impact on interstate traffic.
“This is a long-awaited project for I-81 drivers and for Harrisonburg,” said Joel DeNunzio, VDOT Staunton District engineer. “We will engage with the community every step of the way so they know what’s happening and how it will affect them.”
VDOT is planning extensive public outreach including in-person meetings, news releases and online updates throughout the construction process.
Additional CIP projects in the works include widening in the areas of Staunton, Strasburg and Winchester, and the addition of truck climbing lanes in Weyers Cave.
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Crystal Graham
