VDOT News - Bristol

Bristol, VA – As part of the Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), multiple project milestones were achieved in 2022 by the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) Bristol District.

Following are the Bristol District projects that are underway or moving to construction in the remainder of 2022:
- A $3 million project to extend the southbound on ramp at mile marker 54, connecting the southbound on ramp to the Groseclose rest area off ramp, began in August.
- A $2 million project to extend the exit 47 southbound on ramp begins this fall.
- A $7.65 million project to add a truck climbing lane northbound at mile marker 39.5 in the Seven Mile Ford area of Smyth County was awarded to W-L Construction & Paving, Inc., Chilhowie, in late September. Work is anticipated to begin in late 2022.

The following projects wrapped up in 2022 in Southwest Virginia:
- Safety project southbound between mile marker 38.1 and 39.2 in Smyth County, adding a high-friction epoxy overlay that will improve traction during wet weather and adding fencing to prevent animals from crossing the interstate was completed in August
($2 million).
- Extension of the northbound and southbound off ramps at mile marker 38.9 in Smyth County wrapped up in August ($2 million combined).
- Southbound acceleration lane extension project southbound at mile marker 44 in Smyth County – completed in June ($2 million).
- Design-build contract to extend the acceleration lane northbound at exit 47 in Marion was completed in August ($10 million).

The I-81 CIP aims to improve safety, increase reliability and foster economic growth along the 325-mile corridor. The I-81 CIP was approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in December 2018. The $2 billion package of targeted improvements was funded by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law in spring 2019. More information about the program is available at Improve81.org. (END)

Information in VDOT news releases was accurate at the time the release was published. For the most current information about projects or programs, please visit the project or program Web pages. You may find those by searching by keyword in the search Virginia DOT box above.