Two travel lanes are now open on southbound Interstate 81 in Pulaski County at mile marker 97.  One lane of southbound I-81 was closed at mile marker 97 after an overheight vehicle damaged the I-81 bridge over Route 611 (Newbern Road) on Tuesday, Aug. 26. 

VDOT crews and contractors worked around-the-clock to pave the right shoulder on southbound I-81 to provide two 11-foot travel lanes while the bridge is repaired. The left lane of the bridge will remain closed indefinitely, and traffic in this area will use the right lane and shoulder as travel lanes.

The speed limit in this area has been reduced to 45 miles per hour.  Drivers should use caution.

Early on Wednesday, Aug. 27, VDOT was able to re-open Route 611 beneath the bridge.  The height limit on Route 611 under the I-81 bridge has been reduced to 13 feet, five inches.  

For the latest updates on this incident, dial 511 or visit the Web site at www.511Virginia.org.

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.