Sinkhole repairs close all Interstate 64 westbound lanes near Lexington

STAUNTON — A sinkhole on Interstate 64 westbound at mile marker 53.8 has closed all westbound lanes between Interstate 81 and exit 50. This location is just past the Maury River bridges near Lexington in Rockbridge County.

Repairs are ongoing and are expected to last well into the night.

The Virginia Department of Transportation has closed Interstate 81 exit 191 to westbound I-64.  Traffic will detour to I-81 exit 150B, take Route 220 north and rejoin I-64 at I-64 exit 27.

Motorists trying to reach Lexington can use I-81 exit 188 at Route 60, or I-81 exit 195 at Route 11.

Depending on the size, shape and location of the sinkhole, ongoing lane closures may be needed.  

The sinkhole was discovered in the right lane during routine maintenance work the morning of August 16, 2023. The right lane was immediately closed with crews monitoring the site. The hole excavation work is in the right lane and extending into the left lane.

Sinkhole repairs include excavating the hole to determine its size and the stability of the surrounding ground before back-filling it and repairing the surrounding roadway.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at http://www.511Virginia.org.

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. Follow VDOT statewide accounts on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. The VDOT Web page is 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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