Interstate 81 Harrisonburg-Area Widening (Exit 243 to Exit 247)

Lat/Long: 38.42412, -78.87939 Localities: Harrisonburg and Rockingham

    Overview

    Public Meeting Information

    The purpose of the project is to address existing and future capacity needs, improve operational safety and reliability, limit impacts to existing access ramps and interchanges, and repair or replace deficient bridge components within the project. Specific improvements include:

    • One additional lane northbound and southbound from approximately one mile south of the exit 243 (Route 11) interchange near Pleasant Valley Road to approximately one mile north of the exit 247 (Route 33/East Market Street) interchange.
    • Repair, widen and/or replace the existing mainline bridges within the project limits.
    • Maintain or improve operational safety with the installation of concrete median barrier and through improved signs and pavement markings.
    • Make sensible use of existing pavement and rights-of way to accomplish the capacity improvements.
    • Proposed noise barrier installation based on VDOT noise analysis.

    In 2019 Route I-81 through Harrisonburg had an average daily traffic count of 58,000 vehicles per day.  By the design year of 2047 the estimated average daily traffic volume is 81,300 vehicles per day.

    The project is part of the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which aims to improve safety, increase reliability and foster economic growth along the 325-mile corridor. The Commonwealth Transportation Board approved the I-81 CIP in December 2018. The $2 billion package of targeted improvements was funded by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law in spring 2019. More information about the program is available at Improve81.org.

    Benefits

    The project is one of a series of corridor improvements to I-81. This project improves safety and traffic flow northbound and southbound on Interstate 81 in the Harrisonburg area by providing an additional travel lane. It will ease existing congestion and provide for future capacity needs.

    Project Displays

    Estimated start date: Summer 2025 (Advertise for Construction)

    Estimated completion date: Completion date identified upon contract award

    Schedule Details
    Project plan approval - Early 2023
    Right of Way - Late 2023
    Construction advertisement - Summer 2025

    Estimated cost of the project: $320 million

    Preliminary Engineering: $22 million
    Right of Way / Utility Relocation: $10.2 million
    Construction: $288 million

    Major funding source: I-81 Corridor Improvement Program

    UPC: 116280
    State ID: 0081-115-270 P101, R201, C501, B601, B602, B603, B604, B605, B606, B607, B608, B609, D601, D602
    Federal ID: NHPP-0813(199)

    Design Public Hearing
    Tuesday, June 28, 2022, 4-7 p.m.

    Pleasant Valley Elementary School
    215 Pleasant Valley Road
    Harrisonburg, VA 22801

    Citizen Information Meeting
    Tuesday, September 14, 2021

    Last updated: March 25, 2024

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