Detour set for overnight hours on I-81 due to emergency bridge repairs

BRISTOL — Due to emergency repairs to the I-81 southbound bridge over Old Dominion Road in Washington County, be alert to a full closure of southbound I-81 overnight tonight (Tuesday, Feb. 4) and the detouring of traffic onto Lee Highway between exits 10 and 7.

The overnight closure will allow crews to pave a portion of the bridge within the I-81 work zone where the concrete has experienced significant deterioration.

Crews will place a left lane closure at 8 p.m. this evening on southbound I-81. They will transition to a full interstate closure after approximately 10 p.m. when traffic volumes are lower. During the closure, traffic will be detoured from I-81 at exit 10 onto Route 11 westbound (Lee Highway), then onto Old Airport Road to access I-81 at exit 7.

The closure will be removed by 6 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5. Motorists are advised to avoid overnight travel.