The Shadow
BOTETOURT AND ROANOKE COUNTIES, Va. (VR) – Virginia State Police is installing
speed safety cameras on Interstate 81 northbound and southbound in the work zone in
the counties of Roanoke and Botetourt, between the 143 and 150-mile markers. The
cameras are authorized under Virginia law (Virginia Code § 46.2-882.1) and will be
active on May 11, 2026.
Monday will start the enforcement in this work zone and will begin with a 30-day
“warning” period. Therefore, violators will receive a warning to educate them about the
program and enlist their support with improving work zone safety instead of a citation.
Each offense is validated by the Virginia State Police before a citation or warning is
issued.
Once this warning period ends, if a vehicle is captured over the posted speed limit in the
work zone, the registered owner of the vehicle may be issued a civil citation by mail. The
associated fine is $100 but there is no impact on a person’s driving record or vehicle
insurance. All fees collected by law revert to the State Literary Fund, which benefits
public school construction, technology funding and teacher retirement.
Drivers can challenge a citation they believe was given in error. Information on how to
contest the citation, as well as other facts about the program, can be found at Work
Zone Speed Safety Camera Program – Virginia State Police .
This program is focused on reducing crashes and injuries in Virginia’s major highway
work zones through increased awareness and voluntary compliance with the speed
limit.
