Augusta County - VDOT schedules September 10 citizen information meeting for I-81 safety rest area ramp extensions

STAUNTON — The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a citizen information meeting concerning the extension of several ramps (merge lanes) at the Mount Sidney safety rest areas on Interstate 81 northbound and southbound in Augusta County. The open house meeting will take place between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday, September 10, at Fort Defiance High School, 195 Fort Defiance Road, Fort Defiance, VA 24437.

Citizens can come in anytime during the meeting hours and discuss the project on a one-on-one basis with VDOT officials and designers. Written comments can be submitted at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date to David Robinson, Project Manager, Virginia Department of Transportation, 811 Commerce Road, Staunton, VA 24401-9029.

This project will enhance safety and reduce congestion in the area of the rest areas along I-81 near mile marker 232. Three ramps (merge lanes) will be extended in order to give vehicles enough space to speed up or slow down as needed to successfully merge with traffic.

Each of the three following ramps will be extended by about 1,200 feet:

• Deceleration lane (off-ramp) into the southbound I-81 rest area
• Acceleration lane (on-ramp) from the southbound I-81 rest area
• Acceleration lane (on-ramp) from the northbound I-81 rest area

Because of its proximity to the rest areas, the Route 775 (Buttermilk Road) bridge over I-81 will be replaced. The current bridge was built in 1966 with three concrete piers that do not allow room for additional I-81 lanes. The new bridge will be constructed with a single pier in the median, allowing space for extended northbound and southbound ramps. VDOT plans to close part of Route 775 so the new bridge can be built in the same location, saving money and construction time.

This project is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which aims to improve safety, increase reliability and foster economic growth along the 325-mile corridor. More information is available at Improve81.org.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org. For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.

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