Fact Sheets and Expert Reviews
A summary of the major problems with VDOT's plan for widening I-81, as currently approved by the Federal Highway Administration.
The benefits of Norfolk Southern's Crescent Corridor rail plan over VDOT's road widening plan are clear. Yet VDOT continues to pursue the option of implementing tolls at the expense of businesses and residents along the I-81 corridor.
The Federal Highway Administration issued a preliminary record of decision on the I-81 Tier I Environmental Impact Statement in June 2007.
This document summarizes the issues involving VDOT's Final EIS Report, which promotes highway widening and rejects reasonable solutions, such as site specific improvements and better utilization of rail freight.
Independent consultant Norman Marshall of Smart Mobility, Inc. reviews the Draft EIS. Link to the May 2006 report.
VDOT's Draft EIS Report rejected a host of other smaller scale, less costly options based on questionable traffic projections that favor highway widening.
The STAR plan (called “Truck Lanes”) received the worst results - in terms of cost and effectiveness – of all of the options for I-81 examined in VDOT’s preliminary draft Environmental Impact Study.
All Virginians will pay for the $13.6 billion STAR project through taxes, tolls and the diversion of funds from other, more pressing road projects. Targeted solutions are available at lower costs and should be considered over the STAR plan.
