New Route 635 bridge in Augusta County scheduled to open June 6

STAUNTON — The new Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) bridge over Interstate 81 in Augusta County is scheduled to open to traffic on or about 2 p.m. on Friday, June 6. Route 635 just south of Staunton has been closed to through traffic since November 2023 as contractors removed the old overpass bridge and constructed a new one.

The design of the new bridge allows space for construction of a southbound I-81 auxiliary lane between exit 221 (I-64 interchange) and exit 220 (Route 262 south). The auxiliary lane, scheduled to open by late summer 2025, will enhance safety and ease congestion in the area where I-64 and I-81 merge. All work is weather permitting, and construction schedules are subject to change.

Until the auxiliary lane project is complete, a work-zone speed limit of 60 miles an hour remains in effect on northbound and southbound I-81 between mile marker 220 and 221.5.

In October 2023 the Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $7.7 million construction contract to Fairfield-Echols LLC of Fishersville, Va. This project has a contract completion date of October 2025. Addition information is on the VDOT project page.

The $3 billion CIP includes 65 construction projects plus operational improvements along I-81 in Virginia to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and unlock the region for further economic growth. Find out more at Improve81.org. The website includes interactive maps, videos and podcasts, and details about upcoming and current projects.

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

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

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 Twitter. See VDOT's social media accounts.

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