VDOT reopens SB I-81 lanes near Blacksburg

Two days after Virginia’s Department of Transportation closed Interstate 81 southbound near Blacksburg for repairs, the agency reported both southbound lanes were back open the afternoon of Thursday, Aug. 29.

The news came as problems on the detour route the same day had extended backups for up to 10 miles by some reports.

At 4:30 p.m., Aug. 27, VDOT closed both southbound lanes of Interstate 81 near Blacksburg, Va., at Mile Marker 132. The department anticipated the closure would last one to 10 days while workers fixed an unstable slope.

It diverted I-81 motorists at Dixie Caverns/Exit 132 onto Route 11/460, then back onto I-81 at Exit 118 in Christiansburg.