The Shadow
WASHINGTON, DC (VR) – This week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill, taking the next step toward securing $17 million for long-needed safety and capacity improvements along Interstate 81. This latest investment, secured by Rep. Cline, will support critical upgrades and potential widening along the corridor and reflects his advocacy for Virginia’s Sixth District through the House Appropriations Committee. The bill is awaiting final approval in the Senate.
“For years, residents of Virginia’s Sixth District have told me how dangerous and congested I-81 has become,” said Rep. Cline. “This bill’s passage out of the House puts us one step closer to critical improvements that will make I-81 safer, more efficient, and better equipped to serve commuters, families, and the truck drivers who keep our regional economy moving. This is a meaningful step toward delivering the reliable interstate our communities along the I-81 corridor deserve.”
BACKGROUND:
The I-81 Corridor handles an enormous volume of freight and passenger traffic. Each year, more than 12 million commercial trucks travel along the interstate, moving over $300 billion in goods. As traffic increases, so does the need to modernize the highway to support on-time delivery and reduce disruptions that hurt both local businesses and national commerce.
Originally built over 50 years ago, I-81 has not kept up with growing traffic and freight demands. A 2018 state report identified urgent needs along the corridor, and while Virginia has taken important steps to address them, additional federal investment is necessary.
Travel delays are becoming more frequent and unpredictable, impacting both freight movement and personal travel. To help fix this, Virginia’s Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP) includes plans to widen the road from two to three lanes in critical sections. These upgrades will reduce congestion, create more room for emergency response vehicles, and lower the risk of crashes by allowing more space for vehicles to maneuver.
Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.
