Interstate 81 Expansion? Tolls?

VDOT is looking at plans to widen I-81 through the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and public meetings are being held this week. The Civil War Preservation Trust lists the Shenandoah Battlefields as endangered. Also, The National Parks Conservation Association says Virginia needs to work to further reduce its air pollutants not promote mega highway expansions.

I-81 on a bad day is better than I-95 on a good day. Yes, there is heavy truck traffic, but commuter traffic is mercifully light. VDOT has a useful system where you can dial 511 on your cell phone and find out where the traffic jams (if any) are. They can expand this system by putting up electronic signs so that we could switch to the alternate routes (US 11, Middle Road, Route 42).

Piedmont Environmental Council has some intelligent pages on the I 81 Issue. And don't miss the Shenandoah Valley Network's page: Speak Out Before VDOT Commits to
Massive Truckway, Bypass & Tolls.