STAUNTON — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has announced a series of continuous single-lane closures on northbound Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County, scheduled for back-to-back weeks beginning Monday, September 8, 2025.
The closures will remain in place for up to 60 hours at a time to allow for critical rehabilitation of the concrete bridge deck over the North Fork Shenandoah River, just before exit 269 (Shenandoah Caverns/Mount Jackson).
Closure schedule
- Right lane closure: 8 p.m. Monday, September 8, through Wednesday night, September 10. During this period, the exit 269 off-ramp from northbound I-81 to Route 730 (Caverns Road) will also be closed.
- Left lane closure: 8 p.m. Monday, September 15, through Wednesday night, September 17.
- Exit 264 closure: During both lane closures, the exit 264 off-ramp from northbound I-81 to Route 211 at New Market will be closed to all traffic. Drivers heading to New Market should use exit 257 and follow Route 11 north for about six miles.
- Depending on progress, weather and other factors, the closures may extend into early Thursday morning each week.
Restrictions and detours
Vehicles wider than 12 feet will be prohibited from the work zone. Wide-load traffic will detour at exit 257 (Mauzy/Broadway/Timberville), follow Route 11 north for about 11 miles, then turn left on Route 730 to return to I-81 at exit 269. Virginia State Police will provide traffic control and enforce width restrictions.
Project background
This work follows similar rehabilitation performed in May on the adjacent southbound I-81 bridge. VDOT officials explained that once the rehabilitation begins, it must proceed continuously to ensure quality and durability. The project is expected to extend the bridge’s service life and avoid more extensive and disruptive repairs in the future.
Both I-81 bridges over the North Fork Shenandoah River had received repeated temporary deck patching, which could no longer sustain heavy interstate traffic. Funding for permanent rehabilitation became available in spring 2025.
Traveler information
Updates on the project will be posted on the VDOT Staunton District news page, the district’s X account, and the Staunton District Facebook group.
For real-time traffic alerts, motorists can dial 511 or visit 511 Virginia. The VDOT Customer Service Center is available 24/7 for reporting road hazards, asking transportation questions, or obtaining information at 800-FOR-ROAD (800-367-7623) or online at my.vdot.virginia.gov.
Information from VDOT. Edited by Dan McDermott.
