Roanoke County Government: Road Notice (2/9/22): I-81 Shoulder Work Begins As Part Of A Widening Project From Exit 137-141

Press release from the Roanoke County Government:

February 9, 2022

Starting in February and continuing into the early summer, work will be performed on the inside and outside shoulders along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the City of Salem. The shoulder strengthening is a part of $179 million design-build project to widen both directions of I-81 between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 from two to three lanes.

 The shoulders will be built up before barrier wall can be installed for road crews to work behind. Drivers can expect the following lane closures and impacts on northbound and southbound I-81:

 •  From mid-February to mid-April, daytime right shoulder closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Thursday

 •  From mid-March until mid-June, nighttime right lane and shoulder closures between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday

 •  From mid-May to mid-June, alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday 

The widening project will begin in early 2022 and be completed in early 2026. Barrier wall will be installed along the shoulders in the spring and summer. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction will remain open during the project with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed.

This press release was produced by the Roanoke County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.