Commonwealth Transportation Board Awards $219 Million Contract for I-81 Widening at Harrisonburg

STAUNTON – The Commonwealth Transportation Board at its Jan. 6 meeting in Richmond awarded a $218.9 million contract to Triton Construction Inc. of St. Albans, W.Va., to widen about six miles of Interstate 81 in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Construction is expected to begin this spring and take about six years to complete.

The project adds a third lane northbound and southbound from about one mile south of exit 243 (Route 11/South Main Street) to about one mile north of exit 247 (Route 33/East Market Street). Eight bridges along the interstate main line will be replaced, as will the Pleasant Valley Road overpass bridge.

The Harrisonburg-area widening has a contract completion date of June 2032, but the new travel lanes are expected to open to traffic by late 2031. The project is funded by the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP) which enhances safety, reduces congestion and unlocks the region for further economic growth.

“This is one of the largest and most ambitious projects along the corridor,” said Dave Covington, I-81 Program Delivery Director for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “Triton Construction is in the final stages of exit 247 improvements, and will be able to move seamlessly into the widening project.”

The first several months of construction will include strengthening of right shoulders and installation of temporary concrete barrier walls to protect the work zone. Both of these operations will take place during nighttime and overnight hours.

I-81 widening will take place toward the median, within the existing VDOT right of way. A concrete barrier will separate northbound and southbound traffic. The project also constructs about four miles of noise-barrier wall, upgrades stormwater management systems, and replaces the signalized intersection of Early Road and Pleasant Valley Road with a roundabout.

“This is a long-awaited project for I-81 drivers and for Harrisonburg,” said Joel DeNunzio, VDOT Staunton District Engineer. “We will engage with the community every step of the way so they know what’s happening and how it will affect them.”

VDOT plans extensive public outreach before the start of construction and at various stages of the project. This will include in-person meetings, news releases, and online updates through the VDOT project page and social media channels.

Other major I-81 CIP projects in the VDOT Staunton District include:

• Staunton-area widening (scheduled for completion in summer 2027)
• Weyers Cave truck-climbing lanes (scheduled for completion in late 2027)
• Strasburg-area southbound widening (scheduled for completion in fall 2028)
• Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)

The nearly $4 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along I-81 in Virginia. Find out more at Improve81.org. The website includes interactive maps, videos and podcasts, and details about upcoming and current projects.

The VDOT Customer Service Center operates 24/7 to help roadway users report potential hazards, make service requests or get information related to Virginia’s transportation network. Use its mobile friendly website or call 800-367-7623.

Find the VDOT Staunton District on Facebook and X and follow VDOT statewide social media accounts. News releases, travel tips and project updates are on the VDOT website.

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