Both lanes of southbound Interstate 81 between mile markers 120 and 125 in Montgomery County near Blacksburg, Va., are open to traffic. The lanes reopened before 5 p.m.
The contractor has removed enough of the unstable material to get the slope to the condition where it is safe to reopen southbound I-81. Crews will continue to work to remove additional material in the days ahead.
On Tuesday, Aug. 27, southbound I-81 traffic was detoured off the interstate and onto Route 11/460 due to the unstable slope. During a scheduled blast on Monday, Aug. 26, an existing crack the slope increased from approximately 50 feet to 120 feet in length.
Geotechnical specialists reviewed the slope, and VDOT in the interest of public safety decided to close southbound Interstate 81.
Work on the truck climbing lane project is expected to be completed in November 2013. For traffic information and updates, visit www.511Virginia.org.
