VDOT Seeks Public Input on I-81 Improvements at October Meetings Four In-Person Events + Online Survey Offer Citizens a Say in Final Corridor Plan

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants your input on the future of Interstate 81 — and they’re making it easy to speak up.

From October 27 to 30, VDOT will host four in-person public meetings across the region as part of the final round of planning for the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan (CIP) 2025. The meetings will allow community members to learn about proposed changes, ask questions, and share their ideas on how to make the heavily traveled highway safer and more reliable.

An online survey will also be available for those who can’t attend in person.

VDOT’s new study builds on a 2018 plan that led to dozens of construction projects now underway. The latest update focuses on refining a list of projects aimed at solving the worst safety and traffic problems along the 325-mile stretch of I-81 that runs through Virginia.

“Round 3” of the public engagement process will highlight potential improvements already under consideration. These could include new lanes, redesigned ramps, or added truck-only sections to reduce crashes and delays. The public’s feedback will help VDOT prioritize which projects to do first.

Public Meetings Schedule

Each meeting will start with a short presentation, followed by an open-house period where attendees can view maps and displays, ask questions, and give feedback.

• Monday, October 27 | 5–7 p.m.
  Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center
  One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA
• Tuesday, October 28 | 5–7 p.m.
  Salem Civic Center
  1001 Roanoke Boulevard, Salem, VA
• Wednesday, October 29 | 5–7 p.m.
  Blue Ridge Community College, Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center
  One College Lane, Weyers Cave, VA
• Thursday, October 30 | 5–7 p.m.
  Shenandoah University, Brandt Student Center
  1460 University Drive, Winchester, VA

Online Survey Available

Can’t attend a meeting? The Round 3 online survey will be live from October 27 through November 9 at the Improve81.org study page. The site includes a translation tool so people can participate in several languages.

Written comments are also welcome. Email your thoughts to va81corridorplan@vdot.virginia.gov or mail them to:

Robert J. Williams
Virginia Department of Transportation
1221 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Why It Matters

I-81 is a vital corridor for truckers, travelers, and commuters. It supports businesses, connects communities, and carries millions of vehicles each year. But its heavy use has also led to traffic jams and high crash rates, especially in certain stretches.

VDOT says this study will help shape long-term investments in safety and infrastructure, using public input to guide smart decisions. The final I-81 plan will be completed by the end of 2025 and will include the most urgently needed upgrades based on both traffic data and community feedback.

The improvement plan is part of Virginia’s Interstate Operations and Enhancement Program, which supports better roadways through smart planning and construction.

In 2018, VDOT completed the first version of the I-81 Corridor Plan. That work helped kick off 65 projects, totaling around $4 billion in improvements. Many of those projects are still in progress today.

VDOT notes that the current study does not include areas where major work has recently been completed or is already planned, allowing the focus to remain on areas still in need.

For more information and updates, visit Improve81.org