The map above shows "Alternative 2", which is the identified as the Preferred Build Alternative at Exit 245 in the Exits 245 & 247 Interchange Alternative Analysis.

Here are some comments from the Harrisonburg Rockingham Metropolitan Planning Organization that might help contextualize these possible future changes....

For Exit 245 the next steps are to line up funding. That is already in progress but at this time they are only looking at doing an interim improvement there. With the removal of the former hotel in the southeast quadrant of that interchange JMU offered the city some additional right-of-way and the city has requested funding to realign the northbound exit ramp to match up with the existing Forest Hill Road intersection on Port Republic Road. There would be little to no additional right of way impacts for this improvement. If funding is awarded then construction could begin next summer for this improvement but there is no guarantee that funding will come through.

All other improvements at this intersection would likely wait until they are ready to replace the bridge over I-81 which is not expected anytime soon. The bridge is currently in pretty good shape and would be expensive to replace so I don't see that happening. After the interim improvement I described above I wouldn't expect anything else to happen for at least 7 or 8 years and probably more like 15.

For the full improvements recommended in the Alternative 2 even after they identify funding they will need to do a full design and engineering study which will likely result in some changes to the proposed design especially regarding access changes off of Port Republic Road.

So, while these changes are likely in the future -- the exact nature of them has not been finalized, and many of the changes are not likely to take place for quite a few years.