2025 Corridor Improvement Plan Update

Corridor Improvement Plan

Interstate 81 2025 Corridor Improvement Plan

Round 3 public meeting displays and materials

The display boards and handout materials below were provided at the four public meetings in October 2025:

• I-81 CIP Round 3 Public Meeting Brochure
• I-81 CIP Round 3 Presentation
• I-81 CIP Round 3 Display Boards - Bristol District Maps (Set of 4 - Mile marker 0 to 87)
• I-81 CIP Round 3 Display Boards - Salem District Maps (Set of 4 - Mile marker 87 to 175)
  • Salem District Highlight - Truck Climbing Lanes (Pulaski/Montgomery Counties and Botetourt County)
• I-81 CIP Round 3 Display Boards - Staunton District Maps (Set of 7 - Mile marker 175 to 325)
  • Staunton District Highlight - Widening Exit 298 to Exit 300 (I-66 junction)
• Staff Recommended Funding Scenario
• Prioritization of Potential Capital Improvements
• Potential Improvements Definitions
• I-81 is a Critical Transportation Corridor

Round 2 public meeting displays and materials

The display boards and handout materials below were provided at the four public meetings in July 2025:

• I-81 CIP Round 2 Public Meeting Brochure
• I-81 CIP Round 2 Display Boards - Bristol District Maps (Set of 4 - Mile marker 0 to 87)
• I-81 CIP Round 2 Display Boards - Salem District Maps (Set of 4 - Mile marker 87 to 175)
• I-81 CIP Round 2 Display Boards - Staunton District Maps (Set of 7 - Mile marker 175 to 325)
• I-81 CIP Round 2 Supplemental Display Boards
• I-81 2025 Corridor Improvement Plan - July Public Meetings Presentation

What's being done

The study team previously conducted a similar study, which was completed in 2018 and advanced 65 construction projects worth approximately $3 billion. Those projects are now in development, and many have already been completed.

With those projects well underway, the study team seeks to determine how traffic conditions have changed on the interstate, and which areas now need attention.

For the 2025 effort, the study team will again identify targeted improvements along I-81, focusing on segments that have the highest rate and severity of crashes, or the most significant traffic delays. The study excludes portions of the interstate where widenings or truck-climbing lanes were recently completed or are in development.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) will receive briefings during the study time frame.

Public involvement

The first stage of the study identified possible issues along the corridor by combining traffic and safety data with virtual public engagement in spring 2025. During this engagement period, the study team shared a virtual survey and asked participants to use an interactive map to provide information regarding the locations and types of issues they experience on the corridor.

The study team presented potential solutions during a second round of public outreach in summer 2025. This took place during four in-person meetings spaced throughout the corridor.

The final round of corridor-wide public engagement took place fall 2025. This will help the study team refine their recommendations, which will be presented in late 2025 to the I-81 Advisory Committee and the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

VDOT will share details and schedules of public-input opportunities on this page, as well as through news releases and social-media outreach. Engagement from motorists, residents, businesses and other stakeholders is vital for developing a new corridor plan that effectively addresses I-81’s current and future needs.

Provide comments

The public can provide comments to the study team in the following ways:

• Complete a virtual survey during one of the public engagement periods.
• Provide verbal or written comments at an in-person meeting.
• Email va81CorridorPlan@vdot.virginia.gov.
• Contact VDOT Project Manager Rob Williams:
• Phone: 804-371-4868
• Mail: Attn: Robert J. Williams, 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219

Discover more