Update: Sinkhole repairs that closed portion of Interstate 64 in Rockbridge County complete
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Update: Sinkhole repairs that closed portion of Interstate 64 in Rockbridge County complete

Chris Graham
interstate 64
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Update: Thursday, 2:47 p.m. All sinkhole repairs have been completed on Interstate 64 westbound at mile marker 53.8. All I-64 lanes have reopened.


Update: Wednesday, 6:42 p.m. VDOT has been able to open one westbound lane at the location of a sinkhole on Interstate 64 westbound at mile marker 53.8.

This location is just past the Maury River bridges near Lexington in Rockbridge County.

Earlier today all westbound lanes were closed.

Repairs are ongoing and are expected to last into this evening.


First report: A sinkhole on Interstate 64 westbound at mile marker 53.8 in Rockbridge County has closed all westbound lanes between Interstate 81 and exit 50.

This location is just past the Maury River bridges near Lexington.

The sinkhole was discovered in the right lane during routine maintenance work Wednesday morning.

The right lane was immediately closed with crews monitoring the site. The hole excavation work is in the right lane and extending into the left lane.

Repairs are ongoing and are expected to last well into the night.

VDOT has closed I-81 exit 191 to westbound I-64. Traffic will detour to I-81 exit 150B, take Route 220 north and rejoin I-64 at I-64 exit 27.

Motorists trying to reach Lexington can use I-81 exit 188 at Route 60, or I-81 exit 195 at Route 11.

Depending on the size, shape and location of the sinkhole, ongoing lane closures may be needed.

Sinkhole repairs include excavating the hole to determine its size and the stability of the surrounding ground before backfilling it and repairing the surrounding roadway.

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019, and Team of Destiny: Inside Virginia Basketball’s Run to the 2019 National Championship, and The Worst Wrestling Pay-Per-View Ever, published in 2018. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, youtube.com/chrisgrahamAFP.