Victory at CTB
The Commonwealth Transportation Board endorsed the rail study, immediate safety improve-ments to I-81, and long-term selective widening of I-81 where needed. The CTB also resolved that future improve-ments to I-81 should take into account the surrounding environment and future land-use planning.
Below: Excerpts from a VDOT & DRPT press release, 10/11/06
Safety Fixes for I-81
"The Virginia Department of Transportation will pursue a program of short-term safety improvements to include building dedicated truck climbing lanes and extending on- and off-ramps at interchanges, among others. Improvements will be prioritized based on demonstrated safety needs. Many of these improvements could be designed quickly with some construction under way within two years...The board also resolved that future improvements will reflect a context sensitive design, so that the improvements take into account the surrounding environment and future land-use planning."
Freight Rail
"In a resolution, board members directed the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to conduct an I-81 Freight Rail Study as soon as possible in cooperation with the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway. This study will identify high impact, short-term rail improvements in the corridor and identify various scenarios of truck traffic diversion to rail. In cooperation with other states, the study will examine at least 500 miles of the I-81 corridor in order to improve freight movement throughout the corridor. Based on study results, Virginia will be prepared to identify specific rail improvement projects as early as next year."
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Offical CTB resolution