VDOT News - Salem

SALEM – As of 10:30 a.m., the right lane closure on southbound Interstate 81 in Roanoke County near Salem at mile marker 138.4 has been removed. The lane had been closed since 7 p.m. on Dec. 5 due to repairs on the Route 635 (Goodwin Avenue) bridge. The contractor has completed the bridge work, but a right lane closure on northbound I-81 at mile marker 138 is planned for tonight after 8 p.m. for guardrail repairs.

In addition, a 26-hour right lane closure is tentatively scheduled on Wednesday, Dec. 7 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 8. A daytime right closure is also tentatively planned for Friday, Dec. 9, Saturday, Dec. 10 and possibly Sunday, Dec. 11. Weather, specifically low temperatures and heavy rain, may impact the schedule for these lane closures.

The rest area has been closed since May for a project to extend the ramps. The contractor is working to complete the remaining paving ahead of winter, so that the rest area can reopen before spring. If weather permits, the rest area should reopen by late December.

Alternate Routes
Drivers on southbound I-81 in Botetourt County can use Route 11 as an alternate route at exit 162 (Buchanan) to return to the interstate at exit 156 (Troutville).

Travelers on southbound I-81, north of Lexington, who are headed to destinations south of Roanoke can consider rerouting to use Interstate 64 west to Interstate 77 south.

To get updates on this lane closure, visit www.511Virginia.org.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.