Skip to main content

Northbound I-81 in SW Virginia shut for repairs

By WTOP Staff

SALEM, Va. (AP) — A vehicle fire on Interstate 81 in southwest Virginia has forced the two northbound lanes to be closed for emergency asphalt repairs.

The Virginia Department of Transportation says the fire occurred about 5 a.m. Friday near mile marker 167 in Botetourt County, heavily damaging the asphalt. Only the right shoulder of the northbound lanes remains open, causing a significant traffic backup. Drivers are being asked to avoid the area until repairs are finished.

VDOT says the right lane is expected to be reopened by noon, with the left lane being repaired after that.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Emergency guide: What you should do to prepare for emergencies

By WTOP Staff
WASHINGTON — Do you know what you'd do if an emergency hits? What if you're at work, your spouse is stuck in traffic and your children are in school? There's no way to plan for every emergency, but you can make sure you're prepared for different scenarios, including making a plan for your family and building a kit of emergency supplies.
Read Next Story

Related News

Cards, gifts cross religious lines

Mind your mouth: How oral health affects overall health

5 questions to ask before buying a winter home