I-81 slow rolls and exit ramp closure beginning July 21 in Harrisonburg

STAUNTON — Bridge demolition and ramp reconstruction require significant traffic restrictions and delays Sunday through Friday, July 21-26, on Interstate 81 in Harrisonburg. The road and bridge work are part of ongoing improvements to Route 33 (East Market Street) and its interchange with I-81 at exit 247.

The off-ramp from southbound I-81 to westbound Route 33 at exit 247B is scheduled to be closed from 10 p.m. Sunday, July 21, through the early morning hours of Friday, July 26. This closure allows contractors to finish reconstruction of the ramp.

During the closure, southbound I-81 motorists who need to access westbound Route 33 will detour south to exit 245 (Port Republic Road). They will then follow northbound I-81 and take exit 247B to reach westbound Route 33. The southbound I-81 ramp to westbound Route 33 is the only exit 247 ramp affected by this closure.

Overnight slow rolls (rolling roadblocks) are scheduled for northbound and southbound I-81 from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Monday through Thursday nights (July 22-26). The slow rolls allow contractors for the Virginia Department of Transportation to remove concrete girders from the existing westbound Route 33 bridge over the interstate.

The slow rolls will alternate between northbound and southbound traffic as follows:

• Northbound I-81 slow rolls will begin near mile marker 241.6 and will require temporary closures of the on-ramps from exits 243 (Route 11 south of Harrisonburg) and 245 (Port Republic Road).
• Southbound I-81 slow rolls will begin near mile marker 253, and will require temporary closures of the on-ramps from exit 251 (Route 11 north of Harrisonburg).

Virginia State Police will manage the slow-roll traffic operations, which create a traffic gap by reducing approaching traffic speeds to as low as 10 mph. This gap allows work such as bridge-beam placement to safely take place free of live traffic. Traffic can also be temporarily stopped and held by a lead vehicle in each lane.

Digital message signs will advise drivers of the slow rolls, ramp closure and detour. All work is weather permitting.

VDOT is replacing the two Route 33 bridges over Interstate 81 and the two railroad bridges just west of the exit 247 interchange. The project also includes a new shared-use path in the median of Route 33 and operational improvements at the interchange. Additional information is available on the VDOT project page.

A work-zone speed limit of 25 miles an hour is in place on Route 33 for the duration of the project, which is expected to last into 2026. The work zone is closed to pedestrian traffic.

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

Obtain traffic alerts and traveler information by dialing 511 or visiting 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.

The VDOT Staunton District is on Facebook and X (Twitter). Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, X and YouTube. The VDOT Web page is at https://vdot.virginia.gov/.