VDOT PUSHES MASSIVE I-81 -- AGAIN
Your Input Needed Again – Contact the Governor and other Key Officials

DESPITE the record number of public comments VDOT received supporting:

• Specific road improvements to address high accident or congested areas
• Shifting long-distance freight on I-81 to modern intermodal rail
• Smarter land use and better local street networks.
• Protection of scenic beauty, historic battlefields and quality of life.

AND opposing 8-lanes and tolls…

VDOT’s and Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA)
 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)

Proposes 8-lanes along almost the entire corridor with tolling options, while still opposing significant rail improvements

This is Still as Bad as STAR Solution’s Truck Lanes

It is Unacceptable, Unaffordable and Destructive

 Immediate public action is needed to restore the Reasonable Solutions (LINK) for I-81 supported by many local governments and community organizations in the Shenandoah Valley.

Your help this week is vital!

• Most Essential: Contact the Governor and submit your comments to VDOT by May 7th.
• Contact your State Delegate and Senator to intervene on behalf of your locality with VDOT, Governor Kaine and our Congressional delegation to make Reasonable Solutions the plan for I-81.
• Ask your Congressman and Senators to intervene with the FHWA and U.S. Secretary of Transportation to make Reasonable Solutions the plan for I-81.

Contact info for the first priorities Governor Kaine, VDOT, and FHWA:

1.  Governor Kaine (you must use the Governor’s web email system)

2.  VDOT and FHWA I-81 Project Managers:  cg.collins@virginiadot.org; John.simkins@fhwa.dot.gov

3. Commonwealth Transportation Board Members from the I-81 Corridor:
Dr. James A. Davis, (Staunton District - Rockbridge County & north)
Dana M. Martin, (Salem District - Pulaski & Botetourt Counties)
Jim D. Bowie, (Bristol District - Wythe County and west)

Batch emails for VDOT and CTB Members:
cg.collins@virginiadot.org; John.simkins@fhwa.dot.gov; Pres@su.edu; almart-dana@cox.net; JBowie@bvub.com

For your Congressional member, State Senator and Delegate and other officials see our contact page.

Talking points:

* I (We) oppose VDOT’s proposal to widen almost the entire length of I-81 to 8-lanes and to pay for this using tolls.  I also oppose the proposal for a Harrisonburg Bypass.
* VDOT ignored the record number of public comments that favor targeted safety and congestion improvements, significant investment in multi-state rail solutions, and local traffic and land us fixes.
* I (We) urge the Governor, elected officials, VDOT and the Federal Highway Administration to reject VDOT’s Final Environmental Impact Statement, and
* I (We) urge VDOT to adopt the Reasonable Solutions alternative endorsed by 34 jurisdictions and groups.

Read a Fact Sheet with More Talking Points

 Ignoring Public Opinion:  VDOT received more comments on I-81 than on any other project in its history.  Of 2,600 written comments, 80% opposed tolls and 58% favored the rail solution!

VDOT’s responses to your comments can be found here.  
Did VDOT respond adequately to your points?  If not, include this in your letters, e-mails, and/or phone calls. 

Ignoring Better Solutions:  The Shenandoah Valley Network’s technical analysis of VDOT’s study shows that VDOT’s conclusions are wrong.  SVN confirmed that I-81 faces three problems:  specific safety problems along about 10% of the 325 mile corridor; long-distance freight traveling through Virginia; and local traffic. This in turn requires three separate solutions:  targeted safety fixes, freight rail and better local land use and street networks.  Shenandoah Valley Network and Coalition for Smarter Growth comments can be viewed here.

VDOT's current plan may be viewed here.

The Commonwealth Transportation Board resolution passed last fall regarding I-81 can be found here. The resolution failed to provide clear and strict guidance to VDOT.

                                
SVN wishes to thank Barbara Walsh of the Rockbridge Area Conservation Council , John Hutchinson of Jennings Gap Partnership, and Stewart Schwartz of the Coalition for Smarter Growth for providing important content for the alert and talking points.

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