ROANOKE, Va. – VDOT is asking drivers to pardon the dust as a major I-81 expansion moves closer to reality.
At a community meeting held Thursday, residents were walked through a project aimed at improving safety and traffic capacity along the busy seven-mile stretch of interstate.
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The project will add a third travel lane in both directions between exits 143 and 150. Exit 150-A will close during the bridge construction, shifting traffic to exit 150-B and the Troutville weigh station will also close during part of the project.
Construction started in 2025 and is expected to finish in summer 2031, with drivers expected to see temporary traffic changes. Officials say Thursday’s meeting was about giving the community a heads-up before work gets underway.