Controlled Blasting Scheduled for I-81 Near Strasburg

STAUNTON – Beginning the week of Oct. 27-31, controlled blasting will remove large areas of rock in the median of Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County. The location is near mile marker 297 in the Strasburg area. Controlled blasting is scheduled to take place once or twice a week between 10 a.m. and 12 noon, Tuesdays to Thursdays through early December.

Just before each controlled blast, Virginia State Police will use a slow roll to briefly stop I-81 northbound and southbound motorists between exit 296 (Route 55) and exit 298 (Route 11).

A slow roll is a traffic management operation where a traffic gap is created by reducing approaching traffic speeds to as low as 10 mph. This gap allows work to safely take place free of live traffic. Traffic can also be temporarily stopped and held by a lead vehicle in each lane. Each slow roll operation typically lasts no more than 15 minutes.

During the controlled blasts, which may be audible in the Strasburg area, flaggers will briefly stop traffic on Route 55 (John Marshall Highway) near the I-81 interchange

No blasting will take place on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 4), Veterans Day (Tuesday, Nov. 11) or during the week of Thanksgiving.

The controlled blasts are part of construction for the I-81 widening just south of the I-66 junction at exit 300. The project adds a third southbound lane for about four miles, replaces a bridge over Cedar Creek, widens a bridge over the CSX railway, and builds one mile of sound-barrier wall along northbound I-81 just south of exit 296.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) in October 2024 awarded a $58.6 million contract to Shirley Contracting Company LLC of Lorton, Virginia. Completion is scheduled for fall 2028. Additional information is on the VDOT project page.

The $4 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along the 325 miles of I-81 in Virginia. Find out more at Improve81.org. The website includes an interactive map, videos, newsletters, and details about current and upcoming projects.

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

• Staunton-area widening (under construction)
• Weyers Cave truck-climbing lanes (under construction)
• Harrisonburg-area widening (construction starts in 2026)
• Winchester-area widening (construction starts in 2028)

For updated traffic alerts and travel information dial 511, visit the 511 Virginia website or download the mobile app.

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. Call 800-367-7623 or use its mobile friendly website.

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.