RICHMOND, Va. (WDBJ) – Interstate 81 will be receiving investments for improvements on safety, decongestion and reliability, the governor’s office announced in a press release on Thursday, July 10.
“From Winchester to Bristol, Interstate 81 is the backbone of western Virginia, playing a critical role in supporting our state’s economy,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin.
“We’re making unprecedented investments in the 325 miles of Interstate 81 which run through the Commonwealth, accelerating critical widening and safety projects to completion, while making a real difference for the people who drive this corridor and depend on it as an economic engine for the region. I’m proud of the collective work with the General Assembly over the last three and a half years to allocate an additional $245 million towards Interstate 81 improvements.”
The I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which is valued at $4 billion, funds 65 construction projects with hundreds of traffic operations upgrades and improvements to public transit projects along the freeway, his office said.
According to Youngkin’s office, the CIP is funded by revenues given by the Code of Virginia to the freeway, along with $245 million from the General Fund, money that’s approved by the Governor via the Virginia State Budget.
Over half of the 65 projects have been finished, with improvements like truck climbing lanes, merge-lane extensions and eight curve improvements. Currently, there are 14 interstate CIP construction projects in the works, including more lanes near Bristol, Salem, Staunton and Strasburg, according to the governor’s office.
By early 2026, construction on major widening projects in Roanoke are to begin. Also, design and engineering work already began for more lanes in Rockbridge County and between Salem and Christiansburg. Completion of those projects are scheduled to be finished by 2035, according to Youngkin’s office.
Public meetings are scheduled between July 14-17 to share updates on the construction and will give the public an opportunity to voice their opinions on how to improve Interstate 81. A final report will be sent off to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
More information can be found at Improve81.org.
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