STAUNTON — The Virginia Department of Transportation has awarded 20 resurfacing contracts covering more than 580 miles in its Staunton District, which encompasses much of the Shenandoah Valley and Allegheny Highlands.

About $75 million worth of paving is scheduled across the district’s 11 counties. Contractors will also install 61 miles of rumble strips along primary roads to enhance safety.

The work breaks down across four treatment types. Traditional milling and paving will use about 287,000 tons of asphalt spread over 270 lane-miles. Latex and microsurfacing treatment, which extends pavement life and enhances vehicle traction, will be applied to 145 lane-miles. Surface treatment will cover about 70 lane-miles, and slurry seal — typically used in subdivisions and on low-speed roadways — will be applied to about 95 lane-miles.

On the safety front, VDOT will install 50 miles of center-line rumble strips and 11 miles of shoulder and edge-line rumble strips this year, primarily on roads with speed limits of 45 mph or greater. Rumble strips generate noise and vibration to alert drivers who drift from their lane and are especially effective at preventing crashes involving drowsy or distracted drivers.

Motorists should expect lane closures at dozens of locations throughout the district as the work gets underway. Flaggers and pilot trucks will sometimes be used to control traffic and protect work crews. Drivers are asked to slow down, remain alert, follow work-zone signs and respect flaggers.

All work is weather permitting. Detailed descriptions of VDOT’s resurfacing methods are available on the agency’s Pavement Treatment page at vdot.virginia.gov.

Information from a release. Edited by Dan McDermott.