Sign Removal to Close Part of I-81 in Bristol, Virginia, Late Wednesday

Bristol, Virginia – Heads up, drivers! If you’re planning to travel southbound on Interstate 81 in Bristol late on Wednesday, you might want to rethink your route. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, a segment of I-81 will be closed for some sign removal work. This closure is all set to happen between exits 3 and 1, starting at 11 p.m. sharp.

The sign in question is located at mile marker 1.9 southbound, and it needs some repairs. Instead of doing a quick patch job, the plan is to fully remove and inspect the overhead sign and its structure. For those who regularly drive this route, this might sound like a minor inconvenience. But hey, safety first, right?

So, what’s the alternative route? Well, traffic coming from southbound I-81 will be redirected at exit 3 (I-381) towards Euclid Avenue. From Euclid Avenue, you’ll be able to hop back onto I-81 southbound through either Virginia exit 1 or Tennessee exit 74. It sounds a bit complicated, but think of it as a mini road adventure!

Here’s something you should definitely keep in mind: while this part of I-81 is closed, traffic using I-381 will still have access, but only to northbound I-81. So, if you’re headed north, you’re good to go. But going south? Stick to the detour.

The team handling the project has a comprehensive plan for the night. First, they’ll remove the sign and the overhead structure. Once they’re done with that, they’ll move the whole thing to the left and center lanes to disassemble and transport it. This means the right lane can potentially reopen sooner, once the heavy lifting is out of the way. So, keep an eye out for lane openings if you find yourself detouring through the area.

Interestingly, this repair job wasn’t just a routine checkup. It turns out the sign structure took a bit of a beating during paving operations on August 12. While the inspection showed that it’s still stable, there’s some noticeable bowing, warranting a full-on replacement. Better safe than sorry, especially when it comes to something hanging above fast-moving traffic.

As of now, there’s no set date for when the new sign and structure will go up. But let’s keep our fingers crossed that it’s sooner rather than later. After all, who doesn’t appreciate clear, updated road signs?

So, to sum it up, here are the key points:

• Interstate 81 southbound will be closed between exits 3 and 1 starting at 11 p.m. on Wednesday night.
• Traffic will be detoured to Euclid Avenue and can re-access I-81 southbound from either Virginia exit 1 or Tennessee exit 74.
• I-381 traffic can only access northbound I-81 during the closure.
• The sign and its overhead structure need removal due to damage sustained during paving.
• No timeframe yet for when the new sign and structure will be put up.

So there you have it, Bristol dwellers and through-travelers. Buckle up for a little detour fun this Wednesday night. And remember, all this hassle is to keep our roads safe and sound. Drive safe and see you on the other side of the detour!