On Tuesday, VDOT closed a span of southbound Interstate 81 between mile markers 120 and 125 near Blacksburg because of a slope in the road.
Today, VDOT has reopened the interstate.
Initially, VDOT estimated that it make take up to 10 days for the span of highway to reopen, but a contractor was able to clear enough of the unstable material to get the slope back to a safe condition.
“Crews have been blasting as part of work to repair an unstable slope near mile marker 124 on a project to construct a truck climbing lane in Montgomery County between mile markers 120 and 125. During a scheduled blast on Monday, Aug. 26, an existing crack in the unstable slope increased from approximately 50 feet to 120 feet in length. Geotechnical specialists have spent today reviewing the slope, and VDOT in the interest of public safety has decided to close southbound Interstate 81,” VDOT reported.
The truck climbing lane is expected to be completed in November of this year.