STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — A new auxiliary lane on southbound Interstate 81 in Augusta County opened to traffic early Tuesday morning.

The auxiliary lane connects the on-ramp from exit 221 (I-64 junction) and the off-ramp to exit 220 (Route 262 south) near Staunton. It enhances safety and eases congestion where I-64 and I-81 meet by providing additional space for merging and exiting traffic.

Motorists should be alert for overnight right-lane closures and daytime shoulder closures as needed during final stages of construction. All work is weather permitting. A work-zone speed limit of 60 miles an hour remains in place until final completion of the project.

The southbound auxiliary lane is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which included replacement of the Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) overpass bridge. The new structure, which opened to traffic in early June 2025, was designed to allow space for the auxiliary lane and any future widening of I-81.