State transportation officials expect to have plans by late this year on how to free up congestion on Interstate 81. And there’s a chance for public input over the next few days.
Virginia’s Department of Transportation says the I-81 corridor is unique in that over half the traffic interruptions are not regular rush hour delays, but are brought on by accidents, and can’t be anticipated.
Project Manager Ben Mannell says a two-phase improvement plan includes cameras and message signs.
After more public meetings this fall, he expects VDOT to consider larger changes, like auxiliary lanes between on and off ramps, and truck climbing lanes for semis.
Mannell says a measure approved by the General Assembly this year requires different funding plans to be explored as well.
“One of them being a toll specifically on heavy commercial vehicles. It also asks us to examine the potential use of hot lanes – which are high-occupancy toll lanes along the corridor,” he said. “But there are other potential revenue sources that are on the table for consideration.”
The President and CEO of the Virginia Trucking Association, Dale Bennett, says he’s on board with ideas to make the interstate more efficient and safer. But he says the agency seems too focused on charging tolls to heavy commercial vehicles.
“We certainly are anxious to see what those other potential funding proposals are, and we’ll certainly weigh in what we feel about those,” he said. “I mean one reason we object to tolling, and particularly, truck-only tolling, is it’s an extremely inefficient means of raising revenue to pay for transportation improvements.”
A measure approved by the General Assembly last spring requires VDOT to review various funding mechanisms.
Mannell says public comments from meetings earlier this year included concerns about speeding, and suggested diverting freight traffic to railroads.
VDOT's second round of I-81 public meetings, starting Monday, will be held in Bristol, Weyers Cave, Middletown, and Salem. Here's the full schedule.
