STARS Study Targets Fixes at I-81 Exit 298 and US 11: Congestion, Crashes, and What Comes Next

A new transportation study is taking a close look at one of Shenandoah County’s busiest and most crash-prone spots: the I-81 Exit 298 interchange with US 11 (Old Valley Pike). The effort—called a STARS study, short for Strategically Targeted Affordable Roadway Solutions—is a partnership between the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), Shenandoah County, and the Town of Strasburg. The study corridor runs from the intersection of Radio Station Road and US 11 in Strasburg to US 11 and Oranda Road in Shenandoah County.

The goal is simple and focused: find the worst congestion and safety problems and recommend targeted, affordable fixes. The team is evaluating today’s traffic and crash patterns and also looking ahead to account for future growth and development that will add more trips to the area in the years to come.

Why this spot matters

US 11 through the study area is a four-lane minor arterial with a 45 mph speed limit and an Average Annual Daily Traffic (AADT) of about 13,000 (2023). The corridor also carries a high share of trucks moving between nearby industrial sites and I-81. That mix—steady local traffic, heavy turning movements at the ramps, and a notable truck presence—creates daily pressure on the interchange and nearby intersections.

What the study has found so far

Operations (traffic flow)

• I-81 southbound off-ramp: Long afternoon (PM) queues already form under current conditions and are projected to grow significantly by 2054, with backups that could spill back onto the interstate—a serious safety concern.
• I-81 northbound off-ramp: Delays are present now and are expected to worsen substantially by 2054 in both the AM and PM peak hours.

Safety

• The crash rate along the corridor is about twice the Staunton District average, underscoring the need for changes that reduce conflict points and improve visibility and turning movements.

What the community is saying

In the first round of public input, residents and drivers highlighted two main themes:

• Congestion on the I-81 ramps and along US 11, especially at peak times.
• Visibility and crossing challenges, particularly left turns from the off-ramps onto US 11.

That feedback lines up with the data—both point to busy, complex merge and turn maneuvers that need relief.

How STARS works—and the kinds of fixes it looks at

STARS focuses on targeted, cost-effective solutions that can be advanced through state funding programs. VDOT is managing the study with JMT as the consulting partner for analysis and concept development. Final recommendations will go to the County and Town to consider for funding applications.

Because the study is still evaluating alternatives, no final designs are set. However, based on similar STARS efforts around Virginia, the toolbox often includes:

• Ramp upgrades to add storage length and reduce the chance of queues backing onto I-81.
• Turn lanes and tapers on US 11 to separate through traffic from turning traffic.
• Signal timing/phasing updates, including protected left turns or adaptive timing to match peak patterns.
• Sight distance improvements at ramp terminals and key intersections.
• Access management (e.g., consolidating or spacing driveways) to cut down on conflict points.
• Roundabouts at suitable intersections to slow speeds and reduce severe crash types.
• Pavement markings, signs, and lighting upgrades to clarify movements and improve nighttime visibility.
• Truck-friendly geometry where heavy vehicles are common, reducing off-tracking conflicts.

These examples illustrate the kinds of targeted, affordable changes STARS studies are known for; the Exit 298 recommendations will be shaped by the corridor’s data and public input.

What happens next

As VDOT, Shenandoah County, and the Town of Strasburg complete the Operational Safety Analysis Report (OSAR), they’ll refine a set of preferred alternatives. Those recommendations will be used to seek state transportation funding and guide near-term operational tweaks and longer-term capital projects.

Residents can expect more opportunities to review concepts and share feedback before anything moves to construction. Community comments about congestion, visibility, left turns, and ramp queues will remain central as the team weighs tradeoffs between safety, traffic flow, cost, and construction impacts.

Why your input matters

Local knowledge—how the ramps feel on a rainy evening, where trucks struggle to turn, when school traffic peaks—helps engineers pinpoint problem spots and choose fixes that work in real life, not just on paper. If you travel the Exit 298 area, stay engaged when the next round of materials is shared.

Bottom line: Exit 298 and US 11 have known congestion and safety issues today, and these pressures will intensify with future traffic growth. The STARS study is designed to deliver practical, fundable improvements that make the corridor safer and more reliable for drivers, businesses, and the community.

(Taken from VDOT Press Release)