Richmond, Nov. 29, 2005 - A major milestone in planning the future of Interstate 81 in Virginia is reached with the completion of the Tier 1 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). This document identifies the current problems on I-81, anticipated future conditions and a range of possible solutions to keep people and commerce moving safely and efficiently along the corridor in the years to come.

The document is posted on www.I-81.org, with all the facts about I-81 in Virginia. The Tier 1 DEIS is part of an I-81 Corridor Improvement Study being conducted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
The Tier 1 DEIS serves as a basis for transportation officials to make informed decisions prior to proceeding with the development of individual projects.

“The next step and an extremely important one is public participation,” said VDOT Commissioner Gregory A. Whirley. “We encourage the public to review the document and share their comments. We have gathered in one place a wealth of information about the entire 325 miles of I-81 in Virginia. This critical document paints a picture of how I-81 could function in the future and gives us much to consider as we make decisions about the corridor.”

The Tier 1 DEIS is a high-level assessment of I-81 that identifies deficiencies along the corridor and describes projected travel conditions in the year 2035. The Tier 1 DEIS also considers more than 200 potential solutions, such as highway and rail improvements with various toll scenarios that could move traffic more efficiently in the future. Specific details such as interchange layouts, right of way widths and actual toll rates are not decisions that will be made in Tier 1. Rather, these would be determined in Tier 2.

Some of the conclusions outlined in the study include the following:

• Corridor needs and future conditions are identified. Over the last 25 years, travel demands along the interstate have more than doubled and nearly tripled in some locations. Travel conditions are expected to further deteriorate on the interstate by 2035. Improvements are needed to address safety and congestion problems.


• Needs are variable throughout the corridor and would require the addition of one lane in each direction in some locations and more lanes in other sections. A concept with a varying number of lanes would most efficiently address the capacity needs.


• Rail improvements alone do little to address future needs on I-81, but they could complement roadway improvements.


• Traffic diversions associated with different tolling scenarios are relatively low.


• The corridor can be divided into eight independent sections that may be studied in Tier 2.


• There are two sections where a new location may be considered in Tier 2: the I-77 overlap near Wytheville and between mile markers 243 and 251 at Harrisonburg.
  
• For most of the corridor, improvements can be done on the existing alignment.

The public may comment on the Tier 1 DEIS through e-mail to 81info@VirginiaDOT.org, and online at www.I-81.org. Comments can also be mailed to:

Christopher Collins
Project Studies Manager
Virginia Department of Transportation
1401 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219

Public hearings will be held throughout the corridor in early 2006. If the Commonwealth Transportation Board advances a build concept, VDOT would prepare a Final EIS and send it to the FHWA for review and approval. If approved, the FHWA would issue a Record of Decision on Tier 1. Should the process move forward, Tier 2 studies would begin on individual projects.

Page last modified: Nov. 29, 2005