VDOT reduces speed limit, lane width on Interstate 64 near Lexington

The Virginia Department of Transportation has temporarily lowered the work-zone speed limit to 45 miles an hour on westbound Interstate 64 in Rockbridge County where contractors are rehabilitating bridges over the Maury River. In addition, westbound vehicles will be limited to 10 feet 6 inches in width. The work zone is between mile markers 53.3 and 55.3 just west of Lexington, where traffic has been limited to a single lane in each direction since October 2014.

These changes are the result of potholes that formed on the interstate because of recent winter storms and temperature fluctuations. Crews patched the potholes this past weekend and more permanent repairs are planned for the near future. The new speed and vehicle-width restrictions will remain until that work takes place. Until then, westbound motorists may experience rough pavement conditions.

During the $12.9 million rehabilitation of the Maury River bridges, eastbound traffic tapers to a single lane and access the westbound lanes using a median crossover. After crossing the bridge, eastbound drivers follow a second median crossover to return to the I-64 eastbound mainline. Westbound traffic throughout the work zone is limited to a single lane.

This traffic pattern will remain in effect until fall 2015, when all traffic will be switched to the eastbound bridge while the westbound bridge begins rehabilitation.  That traffic pattern will last approximately one year.

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.

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