Work Underway: Operational Improvements

Take the No Love for Litter Pledge

Interactive Corridor Map Icon

Interactive Corridor Map
Planned Improvements Icon

Planned Improvements
Work Underway Icon

Work Underway

Work Completed Icon

Work Completed

Work Underway: Operational Improvements

Acceleration icon

Acceleration / Deceleration Extension

Auxiliary icon

Auxiliary Lane

Truck icon

Truck Climbing Lane

Wide icon

Widening

Curve icon

Curve Improvements

Shoulder icon

Shoulder Widening

operation icon

Operational Improvements

The I-81 Corridor Improvement Program is working to complete over 60 improvements that include but are not limited to operational updates, exit extensions, acceleration and deceleration lanes, and auxiliary lanes to name a few. The following projects are currently complete. If you don’t see a program improvement listed, check the planned improvements page to learn more.

IconOperational Improvements

BRISTOL DISTRICT

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Counties:

Bland, Buchanan, Dickenson, Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise, and Wythe

Cities:

Bristol, Norton

Towns:

Abingdon, Appalachia, Big Stone Gap, Bluefield, Cedar Bluff, Chilhowie, Cleveland, Clinchco, Clinchport, Clintwood, Coeburn, Damascus, Duffield, Dungannon, Fries, Gate City, Glade Spring, Grundy, Haysi, Honaker, Independence, Jonesville, Lebanon, Marion, Nickelsville, Pennington Gap, Pocahontas, Pound, Richlands, Rural Retreat, Saltville, St. Charles, St. Paul, Tazewell, Troutdale, Weber City, Wise, and Wytheville

Detour Route Improvements

Minor geometric and technology-based infrastructure projects are being implemented along designated detour routes to facilitate moving traffic more safely and quickly. These improvements include:

  • Traffic signal equipment improvements, such as controllers, cabinets and traffic detection equipment
  • Communication network installations
  • Development of special signal timing plans designed to move detoured I-81 traffic more efficiently
  • Small, targeted intersection geometric improvements to assist with moving trucks through key intersections
Virginia’s Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP)

Program objectives:

  • TRIP’s key objective is the facilitation of quick and safe clearance of commercial vehicle crashes through the improvement of towing standards, procedures and training.
  • This Program will improve incident management while building a mutually beneficial relationship within the towing community and enabling them to meet quick clearance goals.
  • TRIP is designed to reduce the impact of major traffic incidents by establishing travel lane clearance goals of 90 minutes or less.
  • TRIP will be implemented by March 2021.

TRIP Resources

CCTV Cameras

Camera icon28 new cameras -  25 Installs were completed as of July 2020

Changeable Message Boards

Wythe County

  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 74.7
  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 74.7
  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 78.6
  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 79.6

SALEM DISTRICT

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Counties:

Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Giles, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski and Roanoke

Cities:

Galax, Martinsville, Radford, Roanoke and Salem

Towns:

Bedford, Blacksburg, Boones Mill, Buchanan, Christiansburg, Dublin, Fincastle, Floyd, Glen Lyn, Hillsville, Narrows, New Castle, Pearisburg, Pembroke, Pulaski, Rich Creek, Ridgeway, Rocky Mount, Stuart, Troutville and Vinton

Detour Route Improvements

Minor geometric and technology-based infrastructure projects are being implemented along designated detour routes to facilitate moving traffic more safely and quickly. These improvements include:

  • Traffic signal equipment improvements, such as controllers, cabinets and traffic detection equipment
  • Communication network installations
  • Development of special signal timing plans designed to move detoured I-81 traffic more efficiently
  • Small, targeted intersection geometric improvements to assist with moving trucks through key intersections
Virginia’s Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP)

Program objectives:

  • TRIP’s key objective is the facilitation of quick and safe clearance of commercial vehicle crashes through the improvement of towing standards, procedures and training.
  • This Program will improve incident management while building a mutually beneficial relationship within the towing community and enabling them to meet quick clearance goals.
  • TRIP is designed to reduce the impact of major traffic incidents by establishing travel lane clearance goals of 90 minutes or less.
  • TRIP will be implemented by March 2021.

TRIP Resources

CCTV Cameras

Camera icon10 new cameras -  4 Installs were completed as of July 2020

Changeable Message Boards

Montgomery County

  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 107.5

Pulaski County

  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 91.7

Roanoke County

  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 142.05

Botetourt County

  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 147.3
  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 159.1

STAUNTON DISTRICT

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Counties:

Alleghany, Augusta, Bath, Clarke, Frederick, Highland, Page, Rockbridge, Rockingham, Shenandoah and Warren

Cities:

Buena Vista, Covington, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton, Waynesboro and Winchester

Towns:

Berryville, Boyce, Bridgewater, Broadway, Clifton Forge, Craigsville, Dayton, Edinburg, Elkton, Front Royal, Glasgow, Goshen, Grottoes, Iron Gate, Luray, Middletown, Monterey, Mount Crawford Mount, Jackson, New Marke,t Shenandoah, Stanley, Stephens City, Strasburg, Timberville, Toms Brook and Woodstock

Detour Route Improvements

Minor geometric and technology-based infrastructure projects are being implemented along designated detour routes to facilitate moving traffic more safely and quickly. These improvements include:

  • Traffic signal equipment improvements, such as controllers, cabinets and traffic detection equipment
  • Communication network installations
  • Development of special signal timing plans designed to move detoured I-81 traffic more efficiently
  • Small, targeted intersection geometric improvements to assist with moving trucks through key intersections
Virginia’s Towing and Recovery Incentive Program (TRIP)

Program objectives:

  • TRIP’s key objective is the facilitation of quick and safe clearance of commercial vehicle crashes through the improvement of towing standards, procedures and training.
  • This Program will improve incident management while building a mutually beneficial relationship within the towing community and enabling them to meet quick clearance goals.
  • TRIP is designed to reduce the impact of major traffic incidents by establishing travel lane clearance goals of 90 minutes or less.
  • TRIP will be implemented by March 2021.

TRIP Resources

CCTV Cameras

Camera icon13 new cameras -  Installs were completed as of July 2020

Changeable Message Boards

Rockbridge County

  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 192.3
  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 196.3

Augusta County

  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 212.2
  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 214.8
  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 220.9
  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 228.7
  • Route 250 WB

City of Staunton

  • Route 250 EB

Rockingham County

  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 238.3
  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 252.8

City of Harrisonburg

  • Route 11 SB
  • Route 33 WB
  • Route 33 EB

Shenandoah County

  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 280.8
  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 284.9
  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 295.3

Frederick County

  • I-81 NB at Mile Marker 308.7
  • Route 17/50 WB
  • Route 522 NB
  • Route 7 WB
  • Route 522 NB
  • I-81 SB at Mile Marker 319.3

Warren County

  • I-66 WB at Mile Marker 8.4