STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — Interstate 81 South near Staunton will have a variety of lane and interchange ramp closures Tuesday and Thursday nights (July 21 and July 23) as contractors shift traffic to new inside lanes as part of the interstate widening project.

On Tuesday, July 21, the on-ramp from Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) to I-81 South will be closed for about 30 minutes as contractors relocate equipment. This closure will take place sometime between 10 p.m. Tuesday and 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

On Thursday night, July 23, the following I-81 traffic restrictions will be in place:

  • The Route 250 on-ramp to I-81 South will be closed from 10 p.m. through 5:30 a.m. A posted detour will guide Route 250 drivers who need to access I-81 South.
  • Southbound exit 221 onto Interstate 64 eastbound will be closed from 10 p.m. through 5:30 a.m. A posted detour will guide I-81 South drivers who need to access I-64.
  • The I-81 South left lane will be closed between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. from mile marker 225 to 221.
  •  I-81 South traffic will be held to a slow roll (rolling roadblock) sometime between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m.
  • Following the slow roll, the I-81 South right lane will be closed until 6 a.m.
  • When completed, the project will add a third lane in both directions of I-81 between exit 221 and exit 225. Final completion is scheduled for summer 2027, but all northbound lanes are expected to open to traffic in late fall of 2026.