STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — Interstate 81 South near Staunton is scheduled to be closed from 10 p.m. Saturday, September 19, through 4 a.m. Sunday, September 20. The closure allows contractors widening this portion of I-81 to install an overhead sign structure near the New Hope Road bridge overpass.

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 exit 225 will be closed.

To help minimize congestion while the detour is in place, there will be no left turns from southbound Route 262 onto northbound Route 11, or from southbound Route 11 onto southbound Route 262.

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.

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 September 26-27.