Interstate 81 exit 14 northbound off ramp temporarily closing

TRAFFIC ALERT:

INTERSTATE 81 EXIT 14 NORTHBOUND OFF RAMP
TEMPORARILY CLOSING
Closure begins at midnight July 27, will be in place approximately 15 days

BRISTOL – Beginning midnight July 27 (Wednesday night/Thursday morning), the northbound Interstate 81 exit 14 off ramp will be closed for approximately 15 days and motorists will use exit 13 to access the exit 14 area.

Northbound traffic will use exit 13 and either Route 11 or Old Jonesboro Road to access locations around exit 14.

The closure of the off ramp is necessary to finish the connection between the new off ramp and the interstate. Following the closure, northbound traffic will be using the new section of roadway, new bridge and new ramp for exit 14.

During the off ramp closure, the blue traveler information signs at exit 14 will be temporarily located to exit 13 to help visitors find their destinations. There will also be message boards to direct Virginia Highlands Festival traffic to Old Jonesboro Road.

The reconstruction of the Interstate 81 exit 14 interchange in Abingdon was awarded in late 2015 and work began in January 2016.

W-L Construction & Paving, Inc., Chilhowie, Va., received the $29 million contract which includes replacement of the two interstate bridges over Route 647 (Old Jonesboro Road); separation of the northbound exit and entrance ramps; widening of Old Jonesboro Road; modification of Dennison Drive; and adding signals at the ramp intersections.

The entire project is currently scheduled to be complete fall 2018.

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