STAUNTON – (12:15 p.m.) The left southbound lane is now open on Interstate 81 at mile marker 248.4.  Both southbound lanes were closed earlier today due to an accident. Motorists should drive with caution and expect delays in this area with backups reaching two miles.

This location is between exit 251 at Route 11 in the Harrisonburg/VDOT Residency area and exit 247 at Route 33 in the Harrisonburg/Valley Mall area.

No estimate for reopening the right lane has been provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation Staunton Traffic Operations Center.

The VDOT Staunton District serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Clarke, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Bath counties.

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

Highway safety is everyone’s responsibility. Virginia’s highway safety partnership — the Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles and Virginia State Police — challenges you to help prevent highway fatalities. Buckle up. Avoid distractions.

Share the road. Drive drug- and alcohol-free. Obey speed limits. For more information on the Highway Safety Challenge and things you can do to avoid becoming Virginia’s next traffic fatality, visit www.safeVAhighways.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.