I-81 Northbound Widening, Mile Marker 116 to Exit 128
VDOT Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Program project to add a third northbound lane between mile marker 116 and Exit 128 in Montgomery County, the stretch that includes Exit 118 (U.S. 460) at Christiansburg; southbound is already three lanes. VDOT's Improve 81 page, updated September 22, 2026, lists an estimated start of spring 2030 and completion in winter 2035. The NRV MPO 2050 plan lists the project at an estimated $502,000,000.
The project
The details.
The NRV MPO plan approved November 6, 2025 shows $50,300,000 programmed in the FY 2026-2030 Six-Year Improvement Program period for widening to three lanes from mile marker 116 to Exit 128. NRV MPO TIP materials note UPC 116196 (I-81 CIP MM 116 to MM 128 adding NB lane) was added as a stand-alone project. At the August 6, 2026 NRV MPO Policy Board meeting, a VDOT representative said an RFP for the mile marker 116 to 128 section had been released for fall 2027; this differs from the spring 2030 estimated start on VDOT's project page, which is the official schedule used here.
- Status
- Approved
- Type
- Infrastructure
- Jurisdiction
- VDOT
- Size
- $502,000,000 (NRV MPO plan estimate)
- Location
- Town-wide
- Applicant
- VDOT
- Case number
- VDOT UPC 116196
- Last checked
- Oct 14, 2026
Timeline
Where it stands.
Every step on record, oldest first, with a link to the official record where there is one.
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Listed in the NRV MPO 2050 Constrained Long-Range Transportation Plan at an estimated $502,000,000.
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VDOT update to the NRV MPO Policy Board referenced an RFP for the mile marker 116 to 128 section.
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VDOT Improve 81 page lists estimated start spring 2030 and completion winter 2035.
Sources
From the official record.
- VDOT Improve 81: Roanoke region and NRV widening projectsSep 22, 2026
- NRV MPO: 2050 Constrained Long-Range Transportation PlanNov 6, 2025
- NRV MPO: Policy Board meeting packet (TIP materials), May 7, 2026May 7, 2026
- NRV MPO: Policy Board meeting minutes, August 6, 2026Aug 6, 2026
Details can change as a project moves through review. The official record governs. This page was last checked against it on Oct 14, 2026.
Information from Town of Christiansburg public records and other official sources. Check the official record for decisions.
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