Traffic Alert: Northbound Interstate 81 nighttime lane and ramp closures scheduled in work zone near Salem

SALEM — As part of the Interstate 81 widening project in Roanoke County near Salem, nighttime lane and ramp closures on northbound I-81 are scheduled July 28-29, so barrier wall can be moved and a new traffic pattern put in place.

Weather permitting, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, July 28, northbound I-81 will be reduced to one lane between mile markers 140 and 142 until the morning of Saturday, July 29.

During this lane closure, two ramps will be closed and another will be impacted. Crews will close the on-ramp at exit 140 from Route 311 onto northbound I-81. The off-ramp at exit 141 from northbound I-81 onto Route 419 also will be closed. In addition, drivers on the ramp from Route 419 onto northbound I-81 will be required to stop and wait for an opening to enter the flow of traffic on the interstate.

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. There will be a wide left shoulder and a narrow right shoulder after the traffic switch.

A similar change with ramp and lane closures is tentatively planned for southbound I-81 in this work zone in August.

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