SALEM – Weather permitting, the following traffic impacts will take place as construction continues on the five mile truck climbing project on southbound Interstate 81 in Montgomery County.
SOUTHBOUND DETOUR
On Sunday, Aug. 25, a southbound detour will be in place from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. the following morning. Southbound I-81 traffic will be detoured at exit 132 (Dixie Caverns) onto Route 11/460 and back onto I-81 at exit 118 (Christiansburg). Signs and message boards will be in place to alert drivers.
SOUTHBOUND LANE CLOSURES
Lane closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 26 through Thursday, Aug. 29 beginning at 10 p.m. each night until 6 a.m. the following morning
BLASTING
In order to reconstruct an unstable slope on southbound Interstate 81 near mile marker 124 in Montgomery County, contractors have scheduled to blast on Monday, Aug. 26 and Thursday, Aug. 29.
As a safety precaution, slow roll lane closures during blasting will be in place on north and southbound I-81 beginning at approximately 10:30 a.m. State Police will slow traffic in both directions to keep the area near the blast clear of traffic. Once the blast has occurred, traffic will be released to travel at a normal speed. Drivers should expect delays.
Signs and message boards will be in place to alert drivers of the following traffic impacts during blasting:
- Traffic will be slowed on southbound I-81 beginning at mile marker 128 and northbound I-81, starting at mile marker 114 at approximately 10:30 a.m. During blasting, the on-ramps will be restricted onto northbound Interstate 81 at exit 118 (Christiansburg) and onto southbound I-81 at exit 128 (Ironto).
- Flaggers will control traffic on Route 636 (Seneca Hollow Road and Friendship Road) during blasting.
Future blasting dates will be scheduled on weekdays at approximately 10:30 a.m. as needed. Blasting dates will be announced as they are scheduled but are subject to change due to weather and work schedule.
Work on the truck climbing lane project is expected to be completed in November 2013. For traffic information and updates, visit www.511Virginia.org.