RELEASE: CONTACT:

IMMEDIATE Sandy Myers (540) 332-9201 Sandy.Myers@vdot.virginia.gov Cellular: (540) 292-2500

STA-011 Jan. 15, 2008

MULTIPLE LANE CLOSURES IN STAUNTON DISTRICT FOLLOWING SNOW SQUALL

STAUNTON – Both Interstate 81 northbound lanes and one southbound are closed at mile marker 244 in Harrisonburg. A tractor trailer has jack-knifed and is blocking both northbound lanes. A fire truck is in one southbound lane. Virginia Department of Transportation officials and wrecker crews are traveling to the accident scene. This is between exit 243 at Route 11 south and exit 245 at Port Republic Road.

The Staunton Traffic Management Center is also reporting the following lane closures that have been reported by local law enforcement authorities. No cause has been given yet, but a small but intense snow squall hit the area right around the time these closures took place.

On I-81 at mile marker 247 in Harrisonburg, the southbound left lane is closed. This is near exit 247 at the Route 33 interchange.
 
In Frederick County, just south of Winchester, both I-81 southbound lanes are blocked at mile marker 309 and one southbound lane is blocked at mile marker 307, which is between exit 310 at Route 37 and exit 307 at Route 277 in Stephens City.
 
In Page County eastbound and westbound lanes are closed on Route 211 near the Shenandoah County line.
Motorists should expect delays in these areas
.
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 1-800-578-4111. (TTY/TDD users, call 711). 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.