Virginia to receive $90 million loan for vital I-81 transportation corridor
The United States Department of Transportation announced that it will deliver two Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans totaling $89.7 million to the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board.
This TIFIA funding will support critical safety and capacity upgrades to over 325 miles of I-81. I-81 carries an estimated 43% of Virginia interstate truck traffic and the funding will enhance the Commonwealth’s I-81 Corridor Improvement Program.
Improvements to be made include adding truck lanes, replacing aging bridges and enhancing road safety with extended exit ramps and additional merge lanes.
“As a vital commercial corridor not only for Virginia but the entire east coast, additional travel lanes, new bridges and interchange improvements are enhancing safety and reducing congestion on I-81,” said Virginia Transportation Secretary Nick Donohue. “The TIFIA loans will help Virginia stretch its transportation dollars and continue building the interstate corridor all travelers deserve.”
