I-81 TIER1 FINAL EIS AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC - April 10

I-81 TIER1 FINAL EIS AVAILABLE TO PUBLIC

RICHMOND – The Interstate 81 Tier 1 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), a document that contains findings of a two-year federally required study, is posted on

www.I-81.org for public viewing and downloading. In addition, CD copies are being mailed to multiple state and federal agencies, local governments, and interest groups and individuals.

The study was conducted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The next step in the study process is for FHWA to issue a Record of Decision (ROD) on the Tier 1 FEIS, possibly this spring. The ROD gives federal approval of the study and allows VDOT to go forward with planning improvements to I-81.

Some of the key conclusions of the Tier 1 FEIS are as follows:

• During the last 25 years, travel demands along I-81 have more than doubled and nearly tripled in some locations. Travel conditions are expected to further deteriorate by 2035. Improvements are needed to address safety and congestion problems.
• Needs vary throughout the corridor. Some locations need one additional lane, and other sections need more. A widening concept with a varying number of lanes will most efficiently meet capacity needs.
• Separate lanes for trucks do not work for the entire length of I-81 without providing more lanes than are needed. Separate lanes are not proposed to be advanced for further study.
• There is an immediate need for smaller, independent safety and operational improvements along I-81. These include but are not limited to constructing truck climbing lanes, extending on- and off-ramps at interchanges, and installing guardrail. FHWA proposes advancing these types of projects independently.

In October 2006, the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) endorsed a series of actions for I-81 that are consistent with FHWA’s proposed decisions on the Tier 1 FEIS. In a unanimous resolution, the CTB directed VDOT to complete the FEIS with a widening concept that would add not more than two general purpose lanes, only where needed. The board also requested VDOT to implement a program of safety improvements.

In addition, the CTB directed the Department of Rail and Public Transportation to identify short-term rail improvements in Virginia and to conduct a multi-state Freight Rail Study with Norfolk Southern Railway to determine possible future diversion of truck traffic to rail. Any funded rail improvements are to be factored into future traffic projections for I-81.