Cline-Backed Funding for I-81 Improvements Passes U.S. House

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill, advancing $17 million in funding for long-awaited improvements to Interstate 81—a key transportation artery in western Virginia.

The funds, championed by Congressman Ben Cline (VA-6), are part of a broader effort to address congestion and safety issues along I-81, one of the most heavily traveled freight routes in the eastern United States.

“For years, residents of Virginia’s Sixth District have told me how dangerous and congested I-81 has become,” Cline said. “This bill’s passage out of the House puts us one step closer to critical improvements that will make I-81 safer, more efficient, and better equipped to serve commuters, families, and the truck drivers who keep our regional economy moving.”

The legislation now awaits consideration in the Senate.

Interstate in Need of Modernization

I-81 was built more than 50 years ago and has not kept pace with rapidly growing traffic demands. More than 12 million commercial trucks travel the corridor each year, transporting over $300 billion in goods. This traffic not only fuels local economies but plays a major role in national commerce.

A 2018 state report flagged significant safety and capacity challenges along the route. While Virginia has invested in the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP)—which includes widening the road to three lanes in critical segments—federal support remains essential to keeping the program on track.

Improvements to Ease Congestion and Enhance Safety

The newly passed funding supports:

• Widening two-lane segments to three lanes to reduce traffic bottlenecks

  

• Increased space for emergency response vehicles

• Reduced crash risk by improving maneuverability and traffic flow

These changes are designed to address increasing travel delays that affect both freight delivery and personal travel. They also support long-term economic competitiveness for the region.