The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in conjunction with design-build contractor Branch Civil Inc. will hold a “Pardon Our Dust” public information meeting on Thursday, Jan. 22 to discuss construction impacts and traffic management for upcoming roadwork on Interstate 81 in Roanoke and Botetourt counties.
The meeting will be held from 5-7 p.m. at Lord Botetourt High School located at 1435 Roanoke Road in Daleville. There will be a brief presentation given at 5:15 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. and representatives will answer questions and provide information.
Interstate 81 will be widened to add one lane in each direction between exits 143 and 150. The project also includes replacing bridges over eight crossings on I-81 and installing more than 1.5 miles of sound barrier along the northbound lanes. Two ramps at exit 150 will be realigned and one will be removed. The improvements are intended to reduce crashes, lessen delays and enhance crash response times.
This widening project is part of the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which aims to improve safety, increase reliability and foster economic growth. The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a $361 million design-build contract for this project in July 2024. Construction started in summer 2025 and is expected to finish in summer 2031.
The I-81 CIP includes 65 capital projects and numerous operational improvements throughout the interstate’s 325-mile corridor in Virginia. The nearly $4 billion program was signed into law in spring 2019. More information is available at Improve81.org.
-The Salem Times-Register
