Removal of southbound I-81 sign, support structure at mile marker 1.9 scheduled

BRISTOL – Due to the removal of the southbound I-81 sign and structure at mile marker 1.9 in Bristol, motorists should be alert to a temporary closure of southbound I-81 between exits 3 and 1 beginning at 11 p.m. Wednesday (August 14).

Traffic will be detoured from southbound I-81 at exit 3 (I-381) to Euclid Avenue (Routes 11W/421). From Euclid Avenue, motorists can access southbound I-81 from Virginia exit 1 or Tennessee exit 74.

I-381 traffic will only have access to northbound I-81 while the closure is in place.

While I-81 is temporarily closed, crews will safely remove the sign and overhead structure, then disassemble portions of the structure to transport it.

The structure will be removed from over the travel lanes and then moved to the left and center lanes for disassembly/transport. The right lane is anticipated to reopen to traffic once the structure is moved to the center and left lanes.

A contract to replace the sign and structure is being prepared. There is currently no timeframe established for replacing the sign and structure. There are additional directional signs in place that inform motorists of the exit 1 area.  

The overhead sign was struck during paving operations August 12. A sign inspection found the structure was stable but required replacement due to the bowing of the sign structure.