SHENANDOAH COUNTY, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a contract this week to widen about four miles of Interstate 81 southbound near Strasburg.

The over $58.5 million project is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program to unlock the highway by enhancing safety and reliability, reducing congestion and supporting economic growth.

Widening will begin just south of the interchange with Interstate 66 and continue through the two Strasburg exits, which are 298 and 296. The project replaces the southbound bridge over Cedar Creek, widens the southbound bridge over the CSX railway.

Construction will begin early next year and be completed by fall of 2028.