Temporary closure to impact I-81 South traffic in Bristol, Va.

BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL) — Interstate 81 South will be closed and rerouted through Bristol beginning late Wednesday night while crews remove a sign and its support structure.

I-81 South will be temporarily closed between Exits 3 and 1 beginning at 11 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).

Traffic will be detoured from the interstate at Exit 3 (I-381) to Euclid Avenue. Motorists will then be able to access I-81 South from Virginia Exit 1 or Tennessee Exit 74.

I-381 traffic will only be able to access northbound I-81 during the closure.

Crews will be removing a sign and its support structure at mile marker 1.9 after it was struck while crews were paving on Monday. An inspection found that the structure was stable but required replacement due to the bowing of the sign structure, according to VDOT.

Once the structure is removed from over the travel lanes, it will be moved to the left and center lanes where it will be disassembled and transported.

The right lane of I-81 South is expected to reopen once the structure is moved to the center and left lanes.

According to VDOT, a contract to replace the sign is being prepared but there is currently no timeline for its replacement. Additional signs are in place.

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