The summer months will bring further progress to the Interstate 81 exit 310 interchange project in Frederick County, which when complete will alleviate I-81 mainline traffic backups from the exit ramps. To achieve this goal, the project design uses a “spread-diamond” interchange configuration, which spreads the ramps outward and widens them with dual right- and left-turn lanes.
Making room for the spread-diamond ramps requires relocation of the Route 642 (Tasker Road) and Route 847 (Hillandale Lane) intersection with Route 37 on the east side of the interchange. On the west side it replaces the existing ramp from Route 37 westbound onto Route 11 with a new ramp that curves around from Route 37 onto the west side of Route 11. A new traffic signal at the end of the new ramp will manage traffic flow.
On June 14 the old Route 37 intersection with Tasker Road and Hillandale Lane was closed and the new connection was opened, allowing construction of the new I-81 northbound ramps and Route 37 ramp intersection. During this period, motorists have single-lane capacity in the work zone area on westbound Route 37 when entering from Tasker Road.
Todd Stevens, P.E., Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton District Construction Engineer says, “We understand the changes we made on June 14 took away two of three travel lanes for Route 37 traffic coming from Tasker Road. Travel delays have occurred. We are working hard to restore the three lanes as soon as possible.”
Stevens adds, “By the end of July we plan to have two of the three lanes open near the I-81 northbound ramps. This will help some, but people may still experience delays traveling through the work zone area. By the end of August we hope to have the whole eastern end of the project complete. Much depends on our contractor’s continued progress and good weather.”
Construction of the I-81 southbound ramps and the Route 11 ramp will continue into the fall of 2016 with completion scheduled by spring 2018.
General Excavation Inc. (GEI) of Warrenton, Va. was awarded a construction contract valued at nearly $25 million. The exit 310 project is scheduled for completion in May 2018. Additional information about this project including maps, diagrams and photographs can be found at www.virginiadot.org/projects/staunton/i-81_exit_310.asp.
The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org. For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.
The Staunton District Twitter feed is at @VaDOTStaunton. VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at www.VirginiaDOT.org.
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Chris Graham
