STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — Interstate 81 South near Staunton is scheduled to be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday, June 13, through 8 a.m. Sunday, June 14. The closure allows contractors widening this portion of I-81 to set up concrete barriers and pavement markings for a southbound traffic-pattern shift.

During the overnight closure:

  • I-81 South drivers will detour at exit 225, follow the Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) bypass around Staunton, and rejoin the interstate at exit 220.
  • I-81 South drivers who need to reach I-64 East will use exit 225, follow the Route 262 detour around Staunton, join I-81 North at exit 220 and then take exit 221 to go east on I-64.
  • The ramps onto I-81 South from Route 262 and Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) at exits 225 and 222 will be closed.

Digital message boards will alert motorists of the I-81 South closure and advise them to follow the green-and-white “Emergency Route A” signs through the detour.

When I-81 South reopens Sunday morning, June 14, drivers will shift to the left near mile marker 222.7 and use newly built portions of the bridges over Route 250 (Jefferson Highway) and Augusta Woods Drive.

All work is weather permitting, and schedules are subject to change. In the event of a postponement, the closure and detour would take place the weekend of June 20-21.