RICHMOND, VA — The Commonwealth Transportation Board awarded a contract to widen about 3 miles of Interstate 81 in Roanoke County and Salem, Virginia, between mile marker 133.8 to exit 137. Construction of this segment is expected to begin in spring 2027.
The contract for $237.75 million was awarded to Triton Construction Inc. of Virginia. More than 50,000 vehicles use this stretch of I-81 every day.
The project is funded by the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program (CIP), which enhances safety, reduces congestion, and unlocks the region for further economic growth.
The planned 3.2-mile project is part of a larger improvement project to widen 9 miles of I-81 northbound and southbound near Ironto, Virginia, which includes three separate segments:
- Segment N: Mile marker 133.8 to exit 137 (contract awarded)
- Segment M: Mile markers 131 to 133.8 with construction expected to start in 2028
- Segment S: Exit 128 to mile marker 131 with construction expected to start late 2027/early 2028
The entire project is anticipated to be completed by fall 2035.
