The reopening of a rest area on southbound Interstate 81 in Virginia has been delayed indefinitely.
The Virginia Department of Transportation Thursday said the reopening of the Troutville Rest Area located on southbound Interstate 81 near mile marker 158 in Botetourt County has been postponed. The rest area has been closed since May for work on a $4.9 million project to extend the ramps at the facility.
VDOT said it anticipated contractor Branch Civil Inc. would reopen the rest area by Thanksgiving, but delays with completing the work have extended the closure. VDOT said it is uncertain when. the rest area will reopen.
The agency said Branch Civil Inc. must complete paving on the ramps and road shoulders at the rest area before it can be reopened to the public. This paving can only be scheduled when temperatures are warm enough and there is no precipitation, so an exact time frame for opening the rest area cannot be determined.
"The contractor will make every effort to complete the remaining paving before winter," said a statement from VDOT. "However, if schedule and weather prevent the paving from being finished, the rest area may have to remain closed until spring."
A concrete barrier wall is currently in place in front of the rest area, and motorists are not able to enter the facility or use the parking lot and restrooms.
Portable toilets and parking will continue to be available temporarily for commercial vehicles at the Troutville Weigh Station located on southbound I-81 at mile marker 149, according to VDOT.
