Under Construction: I-81 New River Bridge Replacement

This project will replace two bridges: the northbound Interstate 81 bridge over the New River and the Route 232 bridge over I-81 at exit 105 (Radford).

The northbound I-81 bridge over the New River was built in 1965 and showed signs of age. The new bridge will have an extended off ramp for exit 105 and wider shoulders.

The new bridge over the New River was built in the median next to the old structure, so two lanes of northbound I-81 can remain open during construction. The new bridge is now open to traffic and the old bridge will be demolished.   

The Route 232 bridge crosses over the interstate and was replaced to span the longer deceleration lane at exit 105 and wider shoulders on the new bridge over the New River. It has been completed and is open to traffic.

 

The original bridge on I-81 pictured below was opened to traffic in 1965.

Benefits 

This project will replace the aging northbound bridge over the New River and widen the shoulders and approaches. The northbound deceleration lane will be extended providing an additional factor of safety for traffic entering or exiting from I-81 at exit 105.