Continuous Single-Lane Closures Monday Night Through Wednesday Night on Northbound I-81 in Shenandoah County

STAUNTON – Continuous single-lane closures on northbound Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County are scheduled for back-to-back weeks beginning September 8, 2025. These lane closures will be in place for up to 60 hours at a time. They allow critical rehabilitation of the concrete bridge deck over the North Fork Shenandoah River just prior to exit 269 (Shenandoah Caverns/Mount Jackson).

Details are as follows:

• The right lane of northbound I-81 will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, September 8, through Wednesday night, September 10. During the right-lane closure, the exit 269 off-ramp from northbound I-81 to Route 730 (Caverns Road) will be closed.
• The left lane of northbound I-81 will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, September 15, through Wednesday night, September 17.
• During the lane closures, the exit 264 off-ramp from northbound I-81 to Route 211 at New Market will be closed to all traffic. Northbound I-81 motorists can reach New Market by taking exit 257 and following Route 11 north for about six miles.
• Depending on work progress, weather and other factors, the lane closures may extend to early Thursday morning each week.

Vehicles over 12 feet wide will be prohibited from the work zone. Wide-load vehicles will detour at exit 257 (Mauzy/Broadway/Timberville), turn right to follow Route 11 north for about 11 miles, and then turn left on Route 730 to return to I-81 at exit 269. Virginia State Police will assist with traffic control and enforce vehicle-width restrictions.

Similar concrete deck rehabilitation took place in May at the adjacent southbound I-81 bridge. Once the work begins, it must be performed continuously to ensure quality and durability. Executing this critical rehabilitation now will extend bridge life and avoid more extensive and disruptive repairs.

Both I-81 bridges over the North Fork Shenandoah River had received repeated temporary deck patching. The patching cannot permanently sustain interstate traffic and was approaching the end of its service life. Funding for permanent deck rehabilitation became available in spring 2025.

Rehabilitation progress updates will be posted on the VDOT website news page, the VDOT Staunton District X account and the Staunton District Facebook Group page.

For updated traffic alerts and traveler information, dial 511 or visit https://511.vdot.virginia.gov/.

The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist 24/7 with reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or getting information related to Virginia’s roads. Call 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or use its mobile friendly website at https://my.vdot.virginia.gov.

Find the VDOT Staunton District on Facebook and X (Twitter), and follow VDOT statewide social media accounts. The VDOT website is at https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/.

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

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