(FROM WHSV) One person has died as a result of a crash that happened on I-81 in the Staunton area around 6 a.m. Saturday.
VDOT UPDATE – (1 p.m.) Northbound and southbound Interstate 81 have fully reopened following Saturday morning’s tractor trailer crash at mile marker 221 near Staunton. The ramp from I-81 southbound to I-64 eastbound at exit 221 is expected to reopen shortly, following final cleanup operations.
The incident took place shortly before 6:30 a.m. Saturday when a truck crashed through the railing of the I-64 westbound bridge over I-81 and landed on the I-81 northbound lanes.
The ramp from I-64 westbound to I-81 southbound has partly reopened. Motorists can use the left lane of the ramp, but the right lane will remain closed until contractors make repairs to the bridge railing. The Virginia Department of Transportation will provide updates on the bridge repairs.
PREVIOUS: (8 a.m.) An overturned tractor trailer is blocking all northbound and southbound lanes of Interstate 81 at mile marker 221 near Staunton. The location is at the overpass bridge for exit 221, the junction of I-81 and I-64. The ramp from westbound I-64 to southbound I-81 is also closed. There is no estimate on reopening lanes. Avoid the area.
Route 262 (Woodrow Wilson Parkway) is a bypass around Staunton, and is serving as a detour route.
- Northbound I-81 traffic is detoured at exit 220 and follows Route 262 north to rejoin the interstate at exit 225.
- Southbound I-81 traffic is detoured at exit 225 and follows Route 262 south to rejoin the interstate at exit 220.
The overturned tractor trailer was reported to the Virginia Department of Transportation shortly before 6:30 a.m. Saturday (November 19). The truck was hauling a liquid cargo that will need to be cleaned up before all lanes can reopen
