Previously canceled closures are re-scheduled to begin this weekend, ALTHOUGH SOME CLOSURES WILL BE POSTPONED UNTIL JULY 7 and 8.
Drivers are encouraged to seek alternate routes to lessen congestion on I-81 starting this weekend as extended lane and ramp closures have been scheduled on I-81 for paving and bridge deck repairs in Roanoke and Botetourt County. These lane closures were previously scheduled but were canceled due to weather.
ROANOKE COUNTY
Beginning Friday, June 23, bridge deck repairs over Route 619 (Wildwood Road) on I-81 at mile marker 137 to 140 will require an extended 16-hour lane closure during the following times:
- Friday, June 23, I-81 northbound right lane closed from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m. the following morning.
- Saturday, June 24, I-81 southbound right lane closed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the following morning.
BOTETOURT COUNTY
Beginning Friday, JULY 7, a ramp closure and a right lane closure will be in place on I-81 as milling and paving operations are performed from mile marker 149 to 152 in Botetourt County. The 16-hour extended weekend lane closures are scheduled as follows:
- Friday, JULY 7 right lane closure from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 a.m. the following morning.
- Saturday, JULY 8, right lane closure from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the following morning.
- The on-ramp to I-81 north from Route 220 will be closed from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight during the extended lane closures. Drivers at the exit 150 interchange requiring access to northbound I-81 will need to use Route 11 to return to I-81 north at the exit 156 on ramp. A detour for access to Route 11 is currently in place at this interchange and signs are posted to guide motorists.
Beginning Thursday, June 22, bridge deck repairs over the James River on I-81 from mile marker 164 to 166 will require an extended 16-hour lane closure during the following times:
- Thursday, June 22, I-81 northbound right lane closed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the following morning.
- Sunday, June 25, I-81 northbound right lane closed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the following morning.
- Monday, June 26, I-81 northbound right lane closed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the following morning.
- Tuesday, June 27, I-81 northbound right lane closed from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m. the following morning.
- During the extended lane closures all I-81 northbound lanes will be closed from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. and traffic will be directed to follow the motorcycle detour routes already in place.
- A motorcycle detour will be in place on I-81 northbound beginning at exit 162. All motorcycles must exit I-81 northbound at Exit 162 and follow the motorcycle detour on Route 11 northbound to re-enter I-81 northbound at Exit 167. This detour will be in effect continuously until October 2017.
Drivers should expect delays and seek alternates routes if possible. These projects are expected to be completed in fall 2017.
For the latest information on this closure, visit
www.511Virginia.org or follow us on Twitter at @VaDOTSalem.