By Isabel Lewis and Eleanor Shaw, contributors
Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger joined Democrats and Republicans at Rocktown High School to break ground on an Interstate 81 expansion, which will widen the corridor passing through Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.
“It is also a long-term investment in Virginia’s role as a reliable hub for commerce, logistics and freight,” Spanberger said.
Construction will officially begin in late spring 2026 and will last through 2032, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s website. The project will add one lane each way to the seven-mile stretch. Not only would the project widen the interstate, but it would also add sound walls to limit disturbance to surrounding areas.
This section of I-81 services 58,000 vehicles every day, Spanberger said, one-third of which are trucks. This amounts to $300 billion of goods transported across the East Coast.
The Tuesday ceremony began with remarks from Spanberger alongside other state officials — including State Secretary of Transportation Nick Donahue and Del. Tony Wilt, a Republican who represents the 34th District that includes Harrisonburg.
State Transportation Commissioner Stephen Brich said it’s one of several projects aimed at improving the interstate, with construction near Staunton, Roanoke, Winchester and Bristol.
Wilt said the project has been more or less a waiting game since it was approved in 2019.
“I’ve been asked time and time again, ‘When will the work in Harrisonburg, the widening begin?’” Wilt said. “But today, I’m proud to say it has begun.”
Donahue seconded this and said he was thrilled to have been part of the project since its inception. It’s been in the works throughout several different administrations — including under Democrat Ralph Northam, who served through 2021, and Glenn Youngkin, the Republican who finished his term at the beginning of this year.
“This is a really great project addressing one of the worst areas on 81,” Donahue said.
“[The Virginia Department of Transportation] has done a lot of work to minimize the impacts to communities, so we’re widening to the inside to reduce the impacts of footprints and right of way.”
Donahue added that widening will improve safety. While in office, Wilt said the region has experienced its “share” of crashes and delays, as well as deaths
“Since I was first elected in 2010, I’ve consistently heard from constituents about traffic backups and, more importantly, the tragic accidents that occurred along this corridor,” Wilt said.
On a local level, Harrisonburg Vice Mayor Dany Fleming said the city has collaborated with state and local administrators since the beginning.
“This is a long time coming for Harrisonburg,” Fleming said. “We can’t wait for this to get through.”
Superintendent Michael G. Richards said he wrote an “impassioned” letter to the transportation department two years ago requesting sound barriers for sections next to schools. Now, a four-mile sound barrier will be constructed, improving noise levels surrounding public schools — including Rocktown High School.
Speakers urged listeners and locals to practice patience throughout the construction process.
“Let’s all be mindful of these work zones. Slow down, stay alert and encourage others to do the same,” Wilt said.
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