VDOT announces closure of railroad crossing in Frederick County
The Virginia Department of Transportation will close the Winchester and Western Railroad crossing at Route 661 (Welltown Road) in Frederick County for repairs.
The closure will begin on Tuesday, November 28th at 7 am and will conclude by 12 midnight on Friday, December 1st.
Northbound traffic will follow a detour to Route 672 (Hopewell Road) to I-81 and exit 321 at Clearbrook.
Southbound travelers will take exit 321 to Route 672 to complete the detour.
Truck restrictions will be lifted on Route 661 during this period.
All work is weather permitting.
For up to date travel information, visit 511Virginia.org.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
I-81 Auxiliary Lane Project begins near Staunton
The Virginia Department of Transportation began the Interstate 81 Auxiliary Lane Project November 20th near Staunton.
Northbound and southbound traffic on I-81 will be lowered to 60 miles per hour between mile marker 220 and 221.5.
The work-zone speed limit will remain in place for the duration of the 18 month auxiliary lane project.
Route 635 (Barterbrook Road) south of exit 221, will close next week and remain closed until completion of construction.
During bridge construction, motorists will need to follow a 13-mile detour.
The full detour route follows:
- West of the bridge (Staunton side), drivers will go west on Route 635, south on Route 11 (Greenville Avenue/Lee-Jackson Highway), south on Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway), north on I-81, east on I-64 to exit 91 (Fishersville), south on Route 285/608, and then west on Route 635 to the end of the detour.
- East of the bridge (Fishersville side), drivers will go east on Route 635, north on Route 608/285, west on I-64, south on I-81 to exit 220 (Staunton), north on Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway), north on Route 11 (Lee-Jackson Highway/Greenville Avenue), and then east on Route 635 to the end of the detour.
Once completed, an auxiliary lane on 81 will help connect the I-64 junction with exit 220.
The bridge replacement provides additional space for merging and exiting traffic.
Building a new bridge also allows for future widening of I-81 and will reduce the cost and duration of the entire full project.
The contract was originally awarded to Fairfield-Echolls of Fishersville for $7.7 million in October, earlier this year and is scheduled for completion by October of 2025.
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Crash responder safety week
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) would like to remind you that it is Crash Responder Safety Week.
Remember to slow down or move over for flashing red, blue & amber lights, it’s the law!
You play a role in providing first responders, law enforcement, VDOT crews & tow truck drivers need a safe area to work.
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Are you prepared for winter weather?
Days are getting shorter and colder temperatures are moving in.
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offer safety tips during winter travel and recommends keeping an emergency supply kit in the vehicle this winter to stay safe.
VDOT encourages all motorist to plan ahead for traveling during winter weather and to observe extreme caution when on the roadways.
Before travel, motorists should inspect their vehicle tires and fluid levels and clear all ice and snow from the windows, windshield and mirrors, which could block visibility.
You should also follow forecasts and prepare for any unpredictable conditions.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDOT schedules lane closure for I-81 in Warren County
The Virginia Department of Transportation is scheduled to pour concrete for the widening of Route 840 (Water Plant Road) over I-81 southbound in Warren County on Tuesday, September 19.
The work requires the overnight lane closure of the left lane from 8 pm to 7 am from mile marker 298 to 300, near the I-81 and I 66 junction.
This is a regularly congested area so motorists should use caution when traveling through the work zone.
Drivers using Route 840 should be alert for flagger controlled traffic at the overpass bridge during the time of the scheduled work.
The bridge widening is part of the larger project to extend the on-ramp from I-66 to ease congestion and enhance safety.
The contract was originally awarded to Triton Construction for $7.1 million in May of 2022 with completion scheduled for November of 2024.
For up to date travel information, head to 511virginia.org.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VSP and VDOT help keep roadways safe Labor Day weekend
Virginia State Police and VDOT are reminding Virginians planning one last summer getaway to share the road responsibly by buckling up and driving sober this holiday weekend.
The annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement and education campaign sponsored by the Washington Regional Alcohol Program continues through Tuesday.
During last year’s Labor Day weekend, Virginia State Police arrested 87 drunk drivers, over 4,000 speeders and 1,800 reckless drivers.
A total of 12 individuals died in traffic related crashes over the four day weekend in 2022.
VDOT will attempt to help ease holiday traffic by lifting lane closures and suspending most highway work from Friday at noon until noon on Tuesday.
For up to date traffic information, head to 511Virginia.org or check out the free VA 511 app.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDOT expands lanes near Staunton
Two additional travel lanes will be constructed on Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) in Augusta County near Staunton starting Monday, August 14.
The project will provide Route 262 motorists with two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes between the interchanges with Route 613 (Old Greenville Road) and Route 252 (Middlebrook Avenue).
Contractors will build two new northbound lanes parallel to the existing road, which currently has a single lane in each direction between Route 613 and Route 252.
When construction is complete, northbound traffic will utilize the new lanes and southbound traffic will use both existing lanes.
During stages of construction, northbound and southbound motorists should be alert for traffic-lane shifts and occasional single-lane closures.
The Virginia Department of Transportation will share details of those traffic restrictions as they become available.
The project has a contract completion date of May 24, 2024.
All work is weather permitting.
or more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDOT holds hearing for Rt 7 improvements near Millbrook
The Virginia Department of Transportation is holding a public hearing next week on August 2nd regarding the intersections on Route 7 between Blossom Drive and First Woods Drive.
The area has seen heavy congestion in recent years, especially during arrival and dismissal of students to Millbrook High School and Red Bud Elementary.
The public hearing will be held from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm at Millbrook on Wednesday.
Attendees can make comments during the hearing or provide written comments via email by August 12th to Ms. Tracey Bowman, VDOT Project Manager, at tracy.bowman@vdot.virginia.gov with the subject line “Route 7 Frederick County PH Comment”.
If you are unable to attend the hearing, proposed plans are available for viewing at VDOT’s Staunton District Office or Edinburg Residency Office.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
I-81 bridge replacement begins in Warren County
The Virginia Department of Transportation will begin bridge replacement on I-81 north and southbound between mile marker 298-300.
The construction will require overnight, single-lane closures in both directions from 8 pm to 7 am Monday through Wednesday nights, July 24-26.
The schedule will allow contractors to position cranes and install concrete beams for the new southbound bridge over Route 840, Water Plant Road.
Monday night will see both directions left lanes closed, Tuesday night, just the southbound left lane will close, and Wednesday night, both directions left lanes will be closed again.
The area is just south of the I-81 junction with I-66 so please travel with additional caution through the work zones and be alert for flagger traffic control.
Funding for the improvements to the I-81 and I-66 exchange are provided by Virginia’s SMART SCALE program which is dedicated to reducing congestion and enhancing safety.
The entire project is expected to be completed by November of 2024.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
VDOT bridge repairs close part of Browntown Road
VDOT will begin bridge work on Route 649 (Browntown Road) in Warren County starting Monday, July 10th which will send travelers on a six mile detour.
Crews will work to replace a portion of the bridge that crosses the Gooney Run tributary between Poor House and Buck Mountain Road.
Drivers approaching the bridge from the north will turn right on Route 605, left onto Route 340 (Stonewall Jackson Highway), then left to Route 674 (Limeton Church Road) and then another left onto Route 622 to end the detour.
Drivers from the south will turn left on Route 622, right on Route 674, followed by a right on Route 340 and then a final right on Route 605 to the end of the detour.
The project is expected to last roughly three weeks with traffic scheduled to reopen on July 2, 2023.
To view the VDOT press release on the bridge work, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.