Virginia to spend $64 million to add truck-climbing lanes to I-81

The  Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has awarded a contract to construct truck-climbing lanes on I-81 in order to improve safety.

On December 4, officials awarded a $61.4 million contract to build truck-climbing lanes on I-81 in Augusta and Rockingham counties near Weyers Cave.

The truck-climbing lanes will be added to the northbound and southbound directions of the interstate between mile marker 234.1 in Augusta County and mile marker 237.9 in Rockingham County.

Construction is slated to begin in early 2025.

“The I-81 corridor has some steep grades that make it a challenge for commercial trucks to maintain interstate speed,” says Dave Covington, I-81 Program Delivery Director for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). “Truck-climbing lanes in these areas help ease congestion and enhance safety for all drivers.”

The project will also include lengthening the northbound and southbound deceleration lanes (off-ramps) and northbound acceleration lane (on-ramp) at the interchange of I-81 and Route 256 (Weyers Cave Road) at exit 235.