STAUNTON, VA (Rocktown Now) — The City of Staunton is preparing to begin work on their multi-million dollar “Downtown Tunnel Repairs Project.”

According to an online release, the City is moving towards awarding the construction contract for the project after receiving a 4.6-million dollar bid that, pending final review, could be signed by the end of the year.

The Byers Street Tunnel is projected to be completed next summer, with repairs on the West Johnson Street Tunnel commencing soon after and New Street Tunnel construction kicking off in the Spring of 2027.

Residents won’t see construction right away. The first several weeks will be focused on critical behind-the-scenes work, including:

  • bypass pumping and traffic management plans
  • shop drawings and engineering reviews
  • ordering long lead-time materials

Visible construction is expected to begin in late February or March.

Projected timeline:

  • Byers Street Tunnel: Late Winter–Summer 2026
  • West Johnson Street Tunnel: Summer 2026–Spring 2027
  • New Street Tunnel: Spring 2027