Drivers traveling northbound Interstate 81 in Frederick County should expect significant delays, beginning Monday morning, July 30. Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) officials said in a media release that this is due to emergency bridge work in West Virginia about three miles north of the Virginia-West Virginia state line. The right lane of I-81 northbound is expected to be closed 24 hours a day for three or four days.
During the first phase of bridge work on Thursday, July 26, traffic was backed up for several miles into the Winchester-Frederick County area of Virginia. Drivers should expect similar delays in Frederick when work resumes on Monday.
Motorists can also expect related congestion on Route 11 in the Winchester area for the duration of the bridge work. Northbound motorists should consider alternate routes including:
Interstate 66 or Route 7 to Route 340 northbound through Warren and Clarke counties.
I-81 exit 310 to Route 37 (Winchester bypass) to Route 522 northbound in Frederick County.
Variable message boards along northbound I-81 and westbound I-66 will warn drivers of the I-81 lane closure and any traffic delays. VDOT will also increase Safety Service Patrols along I-81 in Frederick County.
Virginia traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available here.
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