As directed in Senate Bill 971 (now 2018 Acts of Assembly Chapter 743), an Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment (OIPI) and consultant study team will create a “I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan” to identify targeted improvements along I-81 and potential revenue sources that could be dedicated to improvements.
AUGUST I-81 PUBLIC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Following the June public information meetings, the I-81 study team used a combination of feedback from over 1000 public comments and data-driven analysis to develop potential infrastructure and operational solutions to solve safety, congestion, and resiliency issues on the I-81 corridor. State DOT officials presented a set of short and long-term operational and infrastructure improvements. The study team reviewed a series of maps with targeted improvement areas and shared research on potential ways that these “project packages” can be funded.
The short-term recommendations included the addition of changeable message signs and traffic cameras, expansion of safety service patrols, detour routes and improvements to parallel facilities, contract emergency clearance, and truck parking enhancements. Long-term recommendations such as directional widening, auxiliary lanes, truck climbing lanes, or other ramp improvements were focused on corridor segments with the highest incident-related delay and crash hotspots.
Various funding proposals were released for public feedback to consider some combination of truck tolling and the creation of an I-81 transportation authority.
OCTOBER I-81 PUBLIC MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
Following the August public information meetings, the I-81 study team developed a set of recommended infrastructure and operational solutions to improve safety, reduce congestion, and increase resiliency of the I-81 corridor, including adjacent roadways, as well as financing options to fund the solutiions.
The public is encouraged to share comments on the proposed improvements via an online map and comment form. To view meeting materials from the October public meetings, please visit the I-81 Study webpage at: http://www.ctb.virginia.gov/projects/major_projects/i-81_study.asp
The public comment period will close on Friday, Novembe 30th. Staff will present final recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board at the December 5, 2018 meeting, and then deliver a Final Executive Summary and Report to the General Assembly in January, 2019.
PUBLIC COMMENT RESOURCES
- Email VA81CorridorPlan@OIPI.Virginia.gov
- Call 804-786-2971
- An online, location-specific map is also available for those who cannot attend an in-person meeting