Staunton to Harrisonburg Projects

• The widening projects and truck climbing lane projects will add a third travel lane to the interstate.
  • The widening projects will add about 11 miles of a third lane in both directions.
  • The truck climbing lane projects will add over 3.5 miles of a third lane in both directions.

• Replacing or rehabilitating multiple bridges, including those on I-81 as well as roads passing over the interstate
  • 15 bridges on I-81
  • Three overpass bridges 

• Entrance ramps, exit ramps, and interchanges along the projects' paths will be improved for safety and traffic flow.
  
  • The projects include multiple interchange improvements including a new auxiliary lane, extension of acceleration and deceleration lanes, and creation of a roundabout near an exit.

• Noise barriers reduce noise for properties close to the interstate. Sound that reaches a noise barrier is either reflected or absorbed by the noise barrier.
  • For the Harrisonburg widening project, approximately 4 miles of noise barriers will be constructed.

• Concrete barrier walls between northbound and southbound travel lanes enhance safety by providing a physical barrier that can reduce severity of crashes. 
  
  • In the Harrisonburg widening project, concrete barrier walls will be used along narrow median sections.

• To minimize impact on the traveling public, two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction will remain open during construction with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed. Temporary overnight closures and rolling roadblocks may be needed during certain operations, such as placement of overhead bridge beams.

• Large-scale projects depend on specialized contractors and subcontractors and must be coordinated years in advance.

• Consideration must be given to the right of way required for projects.
  • Projects seek to widen to the inside when feasible and appropriate, which helps minimize right-of-way impacts.

I-81 improvement plans include widening a six-mile section through the Harrisonburg area, from about mile marker 242 to 248. This video details the early plans for the project, which is expected to go under construction in 2026.

Northbound and Southbound I-81 will be widened to three lanes in Augusta County near Staunton, between exit 221 and 225. This video shows key details of the project, which includes widening of several bridges.

See how three ramp extensions will enhance safety and ease congestion at the northbound and southbound rest areas in Augusta County. This project requires replacement of a nearby overpass bridge.

Truck climbing lanes will improve safety and traffic flow on steep grades in the Weyers Cave area, near the Augusta-Rockingham county line. This video shows key details of the project, which also includes Exit 235 interchange improvements.

The I-81 Corridor Improvement Program includes a southbound auxiliary lane between exit 221 and exit 220 in Augusta County near Staunton. This requires replacement of the Route 635 overpass bridge.