Extended lane closures scheduled on Interstate 81 northbound for Shenandoah River bridge repairs
New Market, Virginia – Drivers on Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County should prepare for lengthy lane closures as the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) begins major rehabilitation work on the northbound bridge over the North Fork Shenandoah River near exit 269. The project, starting Monday, September 8, 2025, will require continuous single-lane closures lasting up to 60 hours at a time.
The right lane of northbound I-81 will be closed from 8 p.m. Monday, September 8, through Wednesday night, September 10. During this closure, the exit 269 off-ramp from northbound I-81 to Route 730 (Caverns Road) will also be shut down.
The following week, beginning 8 p.m. Monday, September 15, the left lane of northbound I-81 will close through Wednesday night, September 17. Work schedules may extend into early Thursday morning each week depending on weather, progress, and other conditions.
Ramp and Width Restrictions
During both sets of lane closures, the exit 264 off-ramp from northbound I-81 to Route 211 at New Market will remain closed. Motorists traveling northbound can reach New Market by exiting at mile marker 257 and following Route 11 north for about six miles.
Additional restrictions will apply to vehicles over 12 feet wide. Wide-load traffic will need to detour at exit 257 (Mauzy/Broadway/Timberville), continue north on Route 11 for roughly 11 miles, and turn left onto Route 730 to return to I-81 at exit 269. Virginia State Police will assist in traffic control and enforce the width limitations throughout the work zone.
Why the Work Is Needed
This rehabilitation is essential to extend the service life of the bridge. Both northbound and southbound spans over the North Fork Shenandoah River had been patched repeatedly in recent years, but the temporary repairs could no longer sustain heavy interstate traffic. Similar work was carried out on the southbound bridge earlier in May 2025.
Funding for the permanent rehabilitation became available in the spring, allowing crews to move forward with a solution designed to last. Officials explained that once the process begins, the work must be performed continuously to ensure both quality and durability of the repairs.
By tackling the rehabilitation now, VDOT aims to avoid more disruptive and costly repairs in the future, ensuring safer and more reliable travel for motorists along one of Virginia’s busiest corridors.
