Virginia gubernatorial candidates see problems with Interstate 81

Both cite truck traffic and congestion

Maybe it's because they've been crisscrossing the state for months now.  Maybe it's politically expedient, or maybe it's just the right thing to do.  But no matter the reason, both major-party candidates in Virginia's governor's race believe Interstate 81 is over-matched by the amount of car and truck traffic.

Democrat Ralph Northam believes the key to improved tourism in the western half of the Commonwealth is better transportation and specifically improvements to 81.

"Interstate 81 has to be addressed; it's too many trucks and obviously a lot of cars on the road.We need to expand that, Northam said in an interview with 10 News reporter John Carlin.

For his part, Republican Ed Gillespie believes the highway's problems are such an issue that he's created what he calls Initiative 81.

"The fact is, for way too long now 81 has been overlooked in terms of our transportation priorities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 40 percent of our truck traffic is up and down 81 in Virginia. It's become much more congested. It's become much more dangerous, and I will make 81 a priority," Gillespie said.

 


About the Author:

John Carlin co-anchors the 5, 5:30, 6 and 11 p.m. newscasts on WSLS 10.