EXPECT DELAYS ON ALL VIRGINIA I-81 NORTHBOUND LANES

Oversize load will travel entire Virginia I-81 northbound corridor

STAUNTON – The oversize load is scheduled to leave on time tonight from mile marker 13, northbound on Interstate 81. Virginia Department of Transportation officials estimate it will likely take two nights to move through Virginia, but it is possible it could make it through the Commonwealth in one night. Much will depend on traffic volumes, if any accidents occur ahead of the truck, and how often it has to pull over to allow traffic to pass. The following is information on this shipment:

An oversize load measuring 28-feet wide will be traveling northbound up the entire Virginia Interstate 81 corridor from the Bristol area to the West Virginia state line. Each travel lane on I-81 is 12-feet wide. The oversize load truck will be blocking both travel lanes in its immediate area as it proceeds northward. The object being moved is a steel structure for the United States Navy and is headed to Baltimore.

The truck will enter Virginia around 1 a.m. on Sunday, June 15 and will park at the Abingdon truck-only safety rest area at mile marker 13. It will remain at this location until approximately 9 p.m. on June 17 when it will depart on its travel through Virginia. It will not be traveling on Sunday night, June 15 or Monday night, June 16 due to heavy truck volumes normally found along the I-81 corridor on those days of the week.

The oversize truck will be traveling on the I-81 northbound lanes from 9 p.m. on June 17 to 6 a.m. on June 18 and, if needed, 9 p.m. on June 18 to 6 a.m. on June 19, at which time it should be out of Virginia.

The truck with this load will involve a rolling lane closure and will have Virginia State Police escort. Periodically the truck will pull over at pre-designated areas to allow traffic to pass.

Motorists should expect significant delays on I-81 northbound during this time period.

The oversize load movement is weather permitting.

Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. In areas where 511 is unavailable, dial 1-866-MY511VA (695-1182). (TTY/TDD users, call 711). Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org.