INTERSTATE 81
INTERSTATE 81 ACCELERATION RAMP EXTENSION AT EXIT 162 IN BOTETOURT COUNTY – This ramp extension project is underway and as part of the project, the on-ramp from Route 11 onto northbound 81 was previously closed but is now back open. This project will extend the on-ramp onto northbound I-81 about 1,000 feet. The project also includes installing drainage structures and constructing a retaining wall alongside the slope. As work progresses, additional ramp and lane closures may be in place during nighttime hours. During construction, barrier wall will be installed along the right shoulder of northbound I-81 at exit 162. Electronic message boards will alert drivers to the upcoming ramp closure and announce any schedule changes. Work is expected to be completed in late 2026.
· LANE CLOSURES:
Weather permitting, alternating northbound and southbound lane closures for drainage improvements will be in place on Route 11 in Buchanan between I-81 and the Exxon station next to the northbound off ramp at exit 162. All I-81 ramps will remain open. o Drivers can expect other nighttime right and left lane closures in place on I-81. Drivers use caution in the area of the work zone.
INTERSTATE 81 BRIDGE WORK AT EXIT 156 IN BOTETOURT COUNTY – Bridge work is underway on northbound and southbound I-81 at Exit 156. Milling and paving the bridge deck will take place in both directions beginning with the northbound side first and then southbound once northbound is completed. Drivers can expect lane closures on I-81 during nighttime hours. Slow roll operations are expected periodically and flagging operations will be used during barrier wall placement on Route 640 (Brughs Mill Road). Expected completion is fall 2026.
SLOW ROLLS: Beginning around the week of April 3, slow roll operations during nighttime hours, 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., on I-81 will be in place for bridge Jacking and blocking. Slow roll operations for northbound will start at Exit 150 and slow roll operations for southbound will start at the Troutville Rest Area at mile marker 158. Flagging operations will be used during barrier wall placement on Route 640 under the bridges at Exit 156 will also be in place. Temporary traffic barrier in place on westbound side of Route 640 under the I-81 bridges off exit 156 with lanes narrowed to 11 feet. Nighttime outside and inside lane closures may be in place on I-81 from mile marker 155 to 157, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
INTERSTATE 81 ACCELERATION RAMP EXTENSIONS AT MILE MARKER 94 IN PULASKI COUNTY AND 105 IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY- Work is underway on the extension of two acceleration lanes on I-81. The first one will be the entrance ramp onto I-81 southbound at mile marker 94, the entrance ramp onto I-81 southbound. The second one will be the entrance ramp onto I-81 northbound at mile marker 105 in Montgomery County. Scheduled completion date for both projects is summer 2026. During construction, drivers can expect:
LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime lane closures northbound and southbound from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., the following morning, Sunday through Thursday.
Shoulder closures throughout the work zone area.
Slow rolls on I-81 between mile markers 98 and 105 of up to 15 minutes may be in place during nighttime hours.
Ramp closures are possible.
Narrowed or shifted ramps during nighttime hours.
INTERSTATE 81 LANE WIDENING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT EXIT 137 TO EXIT 141 – The $179 million design-build project to widen both directions of I-81 between mile markers 136.6 and 141.8 from two to three lanes is underway. Work is being performed along a five-mile section of both northbound and southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and the city of Salem. Barrier wall is in place along the shoulders. Two lanes of I-81 traffic in each direction are expected to remain open during the project with periodic lane closures scheduled during nighttime hours or outside of peak travel times as needed. Drivers can expect the following lane closures and upcoming traffic impacts in this area on northbound and southbound I-81:
RAMP CLOSURES TO INCREASE: Drivers will see an increase in ramp closures for paving of exit 137 and 140 on and off ramps from and onto southbound I-81 in Salem, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. or 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., depending on work being performed. Watch message boards for updates on times and dates of occurrence and plan ahead.
TRAFFIC SHIFTS AT I-81 EXIT 140: Drivers may experience traffic pattern changes, periodic lane closures, narrow ramps, or quick merges into traffic as well as full stops at the bottom of the ramp onto Thompson Memorial Drive from the southbound or northbound exit ramps of exit 140 off of I-81. Periodic work zones located at bottom of the ramp for work on the I-81 bridge at the underpass is also possible.
MILLING AND PAVING: Paving operations will require lane closures northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning. Milling operations are being performed on Route 311, Route 635 and Route 619 as well as on I-81. Flagging operations on Route 635 under the bridge is possible. Paving and marking operations will follow. Expect delays and plan ahead.
UNEVEN ROUGH PAVEMENT: Drivers may experience some uneven pavement and/or rough surface throughout the project.
LANE CLOSURES: Alternating left and right lane and shoulder closures during nighttime hours between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, are possible. Lane widths will be reduced to 11 feet. Nightly lane closures may be in place along the right lane with possible nightly ramp narrows as needed for guardrail and shoulder strengthening.
WORK ZONE SPEED: Drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work zone and allow space when following a vehicle. Narrow spacing in lanes due to barrier walls, lack of shoulders and lane shifts in various locations, are present.
The project also includes replacing six bridges, widening two bridges, installing approximately 2.6 miles of sound barrier walls along northbound I-81, improving the southbound exit 137 off-ramp intersection at Wildwood Road and adding interchange lighting at exits 137, 140 and 141. Expected completion in summer 2026.
I-81 WIDENING FROM MILE MARKER 143 TO 150 – The I-81 widening project is underway with survey and preparation work. Shoulder strengthening work will require northbound and southbound lane closures during nighttime hours. Barrier wall installation is possible in late fall or early winter. The expected completion for this project is summer 2031.
SOUTHBOUND EXIT 143 RAMP ONTO I-581: The southbound I-81 exit 143 ramp merging traffic onto I-581 towards Roanoke is reduced to one lane. Drivers should stay alert for traffic pattern changes and additional barrier wall to be installed in the vicinity.
BARRIER WALLS: Drivers will continue to see barrier walls with an eight-foot shoulder being put into place throughout the project. Drivers should watch for changes in traffic patterns.
TRAFFIC SHIFT: Southbound traffic is shifted to the right shoulder from exit 150 in Botetourt County to exit 146 in Roanoke County.
LANE CLOSURES: Periodic right and left lane and shoulder closures in place during nighttime hours 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., on northbound and southbound I-81.
RAMPS – Ramps on I-81, northbound and southbound, may be narrowed at exit 150. 146 and 143.
SHOULDER CLOSURES: Shoulder closures in place with additional barrier wall to be installed next year.
WORK ZONE SPEED: Drivers should adhere to posted 60 mph speed limits in the work zone and allow space when following a vehicle. Speed reminders are posted for drivers.
‘PINK’ DETOUR SIGNS: While pink detour signs are in place on I-81 and routes around the project such as Route 11 and Plantation Road, these do not designate a permanent or scheduled detour. The signed detour route is suitable for all traffic during incidents including tractor-trailers and other large vehicles. These signs are used for traffic incident detours only.
I-81 NORTHBOUND AT EXIT 105 NEW RIVER BRIDGE REPLACEMENT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY – Work on this project continues with the initial work beginning behind the barrier wall. Then, beginning in May and through September, the barrier wall will be moved, and the existing lanes will be narrowed. In the fall of 2026, I-81 traffic will be shifted into a new pattern at the bridge. Two lanes of traffic will continue to be open in the work zone, but motorists will be traveling on a different portion of roadway on the right side of the bridge. Throughout construction, two lanes of northbound I-81 will remain open during daytime hours with nighttime closures possible during the hours of 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Slow rolls may be performed on I-81 in the north and southbound lanes from mile marker 98 to 109. Speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone. The project is expected to be complete and the bridge in its final configuration with two lanes of Interstate 81 and the right deceleration lane/exit ramp by the end of 2026.
LANE CLOSURES: Nighttime right and left lane closures may be in place on I-81 northbound or southbound between mile marker 98 and 109 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning.
SLOW ROLLS: Slow rolls may be utilized periodically on both the northbound and southbound lanes from mile marker 98-109 for structural steel deliveries and setting beams.
SPEED LIMIT: The speed limit is reduced to 60 miles per hour in the work zone.
I-81 BRIDGE DECK REPAIRS – Weather permitting, crews will repair bridge decks on Interstate 81 between mile markers 170 to 89, right and left lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound during nighttime hours, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and work zone areas. Delays are possible.
INTERSTATE 581
INTERSTATE 581 EXIT 2N AT PETERS CREEK ROAD – Work is underway on this $4 million project to re-align and signalize the exit 2N ramp from northbound I-581 to northbound Peters Creek Road, eliminating the current merge ramp and making it easier for drivers to access Valleypointe Parkway. One lane each direction will remain open during work. During spring and summer 2026, the current exit ramp will be narrowed as construction begins on the new exit ramp. Construction is expected to be completed in late fall 2026.
LANE CLOSURES: Drivers may see intermittent lane closures in place, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Peters Creek Road northbound and southbound in the city of Roanoke between Valleypointe Parkway and Thirlane Road NW.
I-581 PATCHING OPERATIONS – Weather permitting, crews will perform paving and patching operations. Lane closures will be in place northbound and southbound, Sunday through Thursday, during nighttime hours, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. the following morning. Drivers should watch for signs and expect possible delays.
