VDOT: Replacement of I-81 bridges over Route 8 at Exit 114 begins
SALEM — Road work will begin in late January to replace the pair of bridges that carry Interstate 81 over Route 8 at exit 114 (Christiansburg). The project is anticipated to be completed in fall 2021.
Weather permitting, starting in late January, the speed limit on I-81 at exit 114 will be reduced 60 mph. Later this spring, two temporary signals will be installed to control traffic on Route 8.
Drivers can expect two lanes of Interstate 81 traffic in both directions to remain open for most of the project’s duration, but temporary nighttime closures and detours may be in place at times outside of peak travel hours.
To keep two lanes of I-81 traffic open, a new bridge will be built first with traffic shifted onto it before an old bridge is demolished and removed.
Weekend detours for Route 8 traffic also may be scheduled during the life of the project.
The purpose of the $34.9 million design-build project is to replace the pair of I-81 bridges over Route 8 that were constructed in 1964. VDOT has contracted with Haymes Brothers Inc. from Chatham to complete the bridge replacement project.
January 30, 2019 @ 6:11 pm
I sure hope they plan to address the backed up traffic coming off the southbound ramp before they do anything else to create a traffic jam. This is a dangerous ramp at rush hour and someone is going to get killed because cars are backed up the ramp nearly to the lanes of traffic!
August 3, 2019 @ 5:17 pm
Need to fix the traffic sign coming from RIner on the right exiting on I81 there… people think it is a straightaway… accidents bound to happen and has almost happened tons of times.