Traffic Alert: Expect nighttime lane and ramp closure on northbound Interstate 81 in work zone near Salem

SALEM — As part of the Interstate 81 widening project in Roanoke County near Salem, a nighttime lane and ramp closure on northbound I-81 are scheduled for Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9, so barrier wall can be moved and a new traffic pattern put in place.

If the traffic pattern change cannot be made because of weather, the lane and ramp closure will be rescheduled for the following week on Friday, Dec. 15, and Saturday, Dec. 16.

Weather permitting, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, northbound I-81 will be reduced to one lane between mile markers 136 and 138 until 7 a.m. on Saturday morning. In addition, the exit 137 ramp from Wildwood Road onto northbound I-81 will be closed from 10 p.m. on Friday until 5 a.m. on Saturday morning.  

If work cannot be completed in single night, another lane and ramp closure will be scheduled during similar nighttime hours on Saturday night until the morning of Sunday.

Once the barrier wall has been moved, northbound I-81 traffic will be shifted into a new pattern. Two lanes of traffic will continue to be open in the work zone, but motorists will be traveling on a different portion of roadway on the left side of the road.

To get the latest traffic information, visit www.511Virginia.org.