The Shadow
WASHINGTON – This week, President Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bill into law, which included $17 million for widening projects and safety enhancements along Interstate 81. The funding, championed by Rep. Ben Cline (VA-06), advances key improvements and potential expansion of the corridor and underscores his work on the House Appropriations Committee on behalf of Virginia’s Sixth District.
“Interstate 81 is a critical component of the Shenandoah Valley and plays an outsized role in the region’s economy and daily life,” said Rep. Cline. “From local commuters and families to farmers, manufacturers, and truck drivers, countless Virginians rely on this corridor every day. This funding allows us to begin tackling persistent safety and congestion challenges while laying the groundwork for future capacity improvements. Adding a third lane to I-81 will improve reliability, support economic growth, and deliver lasting benefits for communities throughout the entire Sixth District and beyond.”
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.
