Interstate 81 in Virginia came to a temporary standstill on Tuesday, Sept. 23.
The Virginia Department of Transportation closed bridges over I-81 after they were hit by an oversize load. Southbound lanes of I-81 were also closed to traffic due to the damage.
Following bridge inspections and the removal of damaged concrete to prevent debris from falling onto travel lanes, I-81 was fully reopened in Rockingham County early Wednesday morning, Sept. 24.
Route 704 (Cecil Wampler Road) and Route 867 (North River Road), the two bridges over I-81 that were damaged by the oversize load, are expected to remain closed for “at least a couple of days,” officials said.
VDOT said it will continue to inspect the structures and make any repairs needed to ensure safe travel for motorists.
Nationwide traffic information is available 24/7 on this Land Line resources page.
Southbound I-81 is fully open in Rockingham County following a pair of Tuesday afternoon bridge strikes.
But Route 704 and Route 867 over the interstate near Mount Crawford will remain closed for at least a couple more days. Details: https://t.co/yS9cQBGSfk pic.twitter.com/vqtesVSfIM
— VDOT Staunton (@VaDOTStaunton) September 24, 2025
Drivers can report road hazards or find out the latest on Virginia road conditions at 800-367-7623 or on the VDOT customer service center website.
In late July, the Eastern Transportation Coalition promoted its “Check Your Height, Know It’s Right” campaign, reminding drivers to ensure vehicles can pass safely beneath overpasses.
Virginia is one of 20 states, along with Washington, D.C., that comprise the coalition.
The Coalition Against Bigger Trucks sent a joint letter on Sept. 15 asking congressional lawmakers to oppose any increases in truck size or weight, including heavier single-trailer trucks. The letter was signed by city and county officials from all 50 states.
“Heavier and longer trucks would cause significantly more damage to our transportation infrastructure, costing us billions of dollars that local government budgets simply cannot afford, compromising the very routes that American motorists use every day,” the Coalition said in its letter.
OOIDA has expressed to lawmakers that in addition to being bad for roads and bridges, a truck size increase would be detrimental to small-business truckers.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Truckload Carriers Association and Advocates for Auto and Highway Safety have also opposed efforts to increase the maximum truck size and weight. LL
Read more Land Line news.
Credit: Source link
