Expect Delays and Overnight Closures On I-81 For Bridge Demolition Work In Harrisonburg June 9-12, 2025

STAUNTON – Nighttime slow rolls will take place on Interstate 81 northbound and southbound in the vicinity of exit 247 in the City of Harrisonburg in Rockingham County. The slow rolls will occur Monday, June 9 through Thursday, June 12 and into the early morning hours of Friday, June 13. Virginia State Police will guide the slow-roll closures between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. each day.

A slow roll creates a traffic gap by reducing approaching vehicle speeds to as low as 10 mph. This gap allows large cranes to place multi-ton steel beams without vehicles traveling beneath them. Traffic may also be temporarily stopped and held by a lead vehicle in each lane.  A slow roll operation typically lasts no more than 15 minutes at a time.

The northbound slow rolls will begin at mile marker 241.6 near Mount Crawford and the southbound slow rolls will begin at mile marker 253, just north of Harrisonburg. As part of this work there will be temporary ramp closures northbound at exit 243 at Route 11 south, and at exit 245 at Port Republic Road. Temporary ramp closures southbound include exit 251 at Route 11 north.

The slow rolls will allow room for the removal of concrete beams and demolition of the Route 33 eastbound bridge over I-81 in Harrisonburg.

This work is part of ongoing construction on Route 33 at the Interstate 81 exit 247 interchange in Harrisonburg,

All work is weather permitting, and the schedule is subject to change. The Virginia Department of Transportation will provide updates as needed.

VDOT contractors are replacing the two Route 33 bridges over I-81 at exit 247 and the two railway bridges just west of the interchange. The project also includes several improvements to the exit 247 interchange. A work-zone speed limit of 25 miles an hour is in place on Route 33 for the duration of the project, which is scheduled for completion in summer 2026. Additional information is available on the VDOT project page.

In July 2022 a $43.3 million contract was awarded to Triton Construction Inc. of Virginia, headquartered in St. Albans, W.Va.

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

The VDOT Customer Service Center can assist 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. Agents are available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week.

The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X (Twitter). Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, and YouTube. The VDOT Web page is located 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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