The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a citizen information meeting concerning the extension of several ramps (merge lanes) at the Mount Sidney safety rest areas on Interstate 81 northbound and southbound in Augusta County.
The open house meeting will be held between 4 and 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Fort Defiance High School, 195 Fort Defiance Road, Fort Defiance.
Residents may come in anytime during the meeting hours and discuss the project on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and designers. Written comments may be submitted at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date to David Robinson, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA 24401-9029.
The project will enhance safety and reduce congestion in the area of the rest areas along I-81 near mile marker 232 on I-81. Three ramps (merge lanes) will be extended in order to give vehicles enough space to speed up or slow down as needed to successfully merge with traffic.
Each of the three following ramps will be extended by about 1,200 feet:
Deceleration lane (off-ramp) into the southbound I-81 rest area
Acceleration lane (on-ramp) from the southbound I-81 rest area
Acceleration lane (on-ramp) from the northbound I-81 rest area
Because of its proximity to the rest areas, the Route 775 (Buttermilk Road) bridge over I-81 will be replaced. The current bridge was built in 1966 with three concrete piers that do not allow room for additional I-81 lanes. The new bridge will be constructed with a single pier in the median, allowing space for extended northbound and southbound ramps. VDOT plans to close part of Route 775 so the new bridge can be built in the same location, saving money and construction time.
The project is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which aims to improve safety, increase reliability and foster economic growth along the 325-mile corridor.
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Rebecca Barnabi
