VDOT asks for feedback on I-81, Broad St. multimillion dollar projects

Yahoo

10-07-2025

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is calling for public feedback on two multi-million dollar projects affecting the SAW region.
On July 14, VDOT will hold a public meeting on the corridor improvement plan for the entirety of Interstate 81 across Virginia. This is the second time a project with a similar scale has been conducted concerning I-81.
'The study team previously conducted a similar study, which was completed in 2018 and advanced 65 construction projects worth approximately $3 billion,' reads the project's summary on VDOT's website. 'Those projects are now in development, and many have already been completed. With those projects well underway, the study team seeks to determine how traffic conditions have changed on the interstate, and which areas now need attention.'
The current study has been through round one of public feedback, identifying problems, and is now looking for potential solutions.
'For the 2025 effort, the study team will again identify targeted improvements along I-81, focusing on segments that have the highest rate and severity of crashes, or the most significant traffic delays,' reads the project's website.
There are planned projects along I-81 in Augusta County, including multiple projects on acceleration and deceleration lanes extensions around mile marker 232.4 scheduled to begin in January 2028. The projected costs of the three projects around these lanes is estimated to total at least $9 million.
The local meeting will take place on July 14 at 5 p.m. at the Robert E. Plecker Workforce Center at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave. Just before, at 3 p.m., the Interstate 81 Advisory Committee will meet in the same location. Additional town halls are planned in Winchester, Bristol, and Salem.
More information on the project can be found online at the 2025 Corridor Improvement Plan Update page on VDOT's website. Public comments can also be sent to [e-mail].
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Then, on August 5, VDOT will hold a public hearing on an improvement project for Broad Street in Waynesboro, which will be nearly 1.5 miles long.
'This project improves the operational safety of the Broad Street corridor by replacing center two-way left-turn lanes with designated turn areas and raised medians,' reads the press release. 'This will restrict the number of full access points onto Broad Street and reduce crashes. Streetscape improvements such as trees and other landscaping elements will also be incorporated into the project. Multimodal improvements include installing missing sections of sidewalk (along the north side of Broad Street) and ADA-compliant facilities such as curb ramps and pedestrian crosswalks, and minor signal adjustments as needed.'
The cost of the project is approximately $8.3 million, including about $6.5 million for construction. Over $800,000 went toward engineering, and more than $800,000 went to right-of-way acquisition and utility relocation. An average of 11,600 vehicles utilize Broad Street every day, according to VDOT.
The open house is scheduled for 4 p.m. on August 5 in Waynesboro City Council chambers at the Charles T. Yancey Municipal Building, located at 504 Main St.
The project manager, Jennifer Hoover, will receive comments submitted at the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting date. More information about the project can be found on the VDOT project page.
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Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It's welcome through email to [e-mail]. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: VDOT asks for feedback on I-81, Broad St. multimillion dollar projects