On the Road with VDOT: Widening 81, Potholes, and the Rail Trail

vdot potholes pod
The Work Zone You Drive Through Every Day

Every morning, thousands of Shenandoah Valley commuters merge through orange barrels, slow for reduced speed limits, and navigate narrowed lanes on I-81 near Strasburg. Most of them wonder the same thing: when will this ever be finished?

Ken Slack has the answer — and a lot more to say about what’s coming next.

Slack serves as Communications Specialist for VDOT’s Staunton District, and talks with The Valley Today host Janet Michael on a stormy spring afternoon to break down the state of the Valley’s roads, bridges, and trails in plain, accessible terms. What emerged was a detailed portrait of an agency managing enormous responsibility across a vast corridor — one pothole, one bridge beam, and one public meeting at a time. Click here to listen.

Progress on I-81: A Bridge Takes Shape

The most visible construction project in the region is moving forward on schedule. VDOT’s southbound widening of I-81 at Strasburg is now approximately one-third complete, with a target finish date of fall 2028. While that timeline still stretches more than two years out, Slack points to recent milestones that signal meaningful momentum.

“Just over the last few weeks, folks driving through — especially at night — might have seen the contractors putting some of those massive steel beams in place for a new section of the bridge over Cedar Creek,” Slack explains. The bridge sits at the Shenandoah-Warren County line and represents phase one of a full replacement of the southbound structure. With the beams now in place, crews will soon pour the concrete decking and shift traffic onto the new section, freeing them to build the second half.

Slack expects that traffic shift to happen around August — a small but significant milestone in a project that will ultimately transform one of the region’s most congested stretches of interstate. “When it’s all finished,” he says, “you’re gonna be like, I forgot what it was like before, but this is nice now.”

Winchester Is Next — And VDOT Is Planning Smarter

Even as Strasburg work continues, VDOT is already looking north. Upcoming improvements in the Winchester area will address both interstate widening and a major reconfiguration of the Exit 317 interchange, including a new diverging diamond design. Rather than tackle these projects separately — which would mean tearing up pavement twice — VDOT made the deliberate decision to bundle them into a single design-build contract.

“It makes a lot more sense if we can bundle those projects,” Slack says. “A design-build team comes in a little bit earlier in the process, finishes up the design, takes it through right-of-way and construction.”

Still, the sheer scope of Winchester’s needs required dividing the work into northern and southern segments. The northern half will cover roughly two miles of widening and replacement of six bridges, while the southern segment follows a year or two later. Construction remains a couple of years away, but planning is already well underway. For commuters who navigate the tangle of I-81, Route 522, and Route 50 every day, the improvements cannot come soon enough.

Pothole Season: The Science Behind the Frustration

Beyond the major construction zones, Slack turned his attention to one of the most universally relatable road complaints: potholes. And he came prepared with a remarkably clear explanation of why they form in the first place.

“Fill a plastic water bottle all the way to the top, put the cap on it, and put it in your freezer,” he offers. “When it freezes, that bottle’s gonna expand.” The same principle applies to water that seeps into cracks in asphalt. As late winter and early spring bring repeated freeze-thaw cycles, moisture beneath the road surface expands, contracts, and eventually forces the pavement to buckle and break. Traffic does the rest.

VDOT responds with three types of patching material — hot mix, cold mix, and warm mix — each suited to different seasons and conditions. Cold mix, applicable year-round, serves as a temporary fix. Hot mix delivers a longer-lasting repair but requires warmer conditions. When potholes repeatedly reappear in the same stretch of road, that pattern typically signals that fuller rehabilitation is needed.

How to Get Your Pothole Fixed

Rather than simply venting on social media, Slack encourages residents to report road issues directly to VDOT. The agency’s online portal, accessible by searching “MyVDOT,” is mobile-friendly and accepts reports for potholes, drainage problems, downed signs, and storm debris. Residents can also call 800-FOR-ROAD.

Critically, Slack emphasizes that real people — not automated systems — receive and process these reports. Each submission generates a work order routed to the nearest area headquarters. “It will get taken care of at some point,” he says. “It may not be as fast as you’d like all the time, but it will get done.”

Bridges Built to Last: The Salt Problem Nobody Talks About

The conversation also surfaced a less obvious infrastructure challenge: the corrosive effect of road salt on bridges. While salt plays an essential role in winter road safety, it accelerates deterioration at bridge seams and joints — the points where sections meet and moisture can infiltrate.

VDOT’s answer, wherever possible, is to build jointless structures. Slack points to the bridge over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in Front Royal — completed around 2017 and stretching nearly 1,900 feet — as a standout example. It holds the distinction of being the longest jointless structure in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“When you don’t have seams, there’s nowhere for those salts and the moisture to get in and cause corrosion,” Slack explains. “That thing will last for the better part of a century.”

A Trail — or a Rail? The Valley Faces a Big Decision

Perhaps the most forward-looking topic of the conversation was a feasibility study that could reshape how Valley residents and visitors experience the region entirely. VDOT is currently conducting a rail-with-trail assessment of a nearly 50-mile former Norfolk Southern rail corridor stretching from the town of Broadway in northern Rockingham County, through Mount Jackson, Strasburg, and Woodstock, all the way to downtown Front Royal.

The study explores two possibilities: converting the unused rail line entirely into a recreational trail, or building a multi-use trail alongside the existing rail infrastructure — preserving the option for future freight or excursion rail service. Both scenarios carry significant implications for tourism, economic development, property rights, and regional connectivity.

To gather community input, VDOT is hosting in-person public meetings in April in Woodstock, Timberville, and Front Royal. An online survey will also launch in early April for those who cannot attend in person. All feedback will feed into a final report submitted to the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

“That’s why we reach out,” Slack says. “We try to do it in different ways — in-person meetings, online surveys — to give folks a chance to weigh in.”

The Long View

What stands out most from the conversation with Ken Slack is not any single project or timeline, but the underlying philosophy driving VDOT’s work: infrastructure is generational. The decisions made today about I-81, about Winchester’s interchanges, about a quiet unused rail line threading through the Valley’s small towns — these decisions will shape how people live, work, and move through this region long after the orange barrels are gone.

“These are improvements that I think are gonna be much appreciated by a lot of the folks that drive this corridor,” Slack says.

For Valley residents, staying informed and showing up to public meetings is more than civic participation. It’s a direct line to shaping that future.

$218.9 million contract awarded for I-81 expansion near Harrisonburg

crossover boulevard bridge

VDOT awarded a $218.9 million contract this morning to Triton Construction Inc. of West Virginia to widen about six miles of Interstate 81 in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County.

Construction begins this spring and will take six years to complete.

The project adds a third northbound and southbound lane starting one mile south of Exit 243 and one mile north of Exit 247.

The project will replace eight bridges along the interstate, including the Pleasant Valley Road overpass.

The first several months of construction will include strengthening the right shoulder and installing concrete barriers to protect the work zone.

Then widening will expand towards the median and include construction of a four mile noise barrier wall, upgrades to storm water management and replacing signals with a roundabout at the intersection of Early and Pleasant Valley Road.

The $4 billion I-81 Corridor Improvement Program funds the project to enhance safety, reduce congestion, and support economic growth.

Other I-81 CIP project areas include Winchester, with work starting in 2028, and Strasburg, scheduled for completion in fall 2028.

For more information on the I-81 CIP, visit https://improve81.vdot.virginia.gov/.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

VDOT to hold public hearing on South Street improvements

new bridges shenandoah county

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is holding a Public Hearing on Wednesday January 14th regarding a safety improvement project on South Street in Front Royal the town announced.

The public hearing will be taking place at Samuels Public Library in Front Royal.

This safety improvement project on South Street will be taking place from Hill Street to Commerce Avenue.

Planned improvements include:

  • Adding crosswalks at several locations along and across South Street
  • Upgrade in traffic signals
  • Installing raised medians that can also be used as pedestrian refuge areas

The approval of the design is estimated to take place in Spring of 2026 and the advertising for construction will tale place in summer of 2027.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

The S-Word Season: Inside VDOT’s Winter Readiness

vdot snow show pod

As December arrives in the Shenandoah Valley, most residents brace for winter’s first flakes with equal parts nostalgia and dread. Yet for Ken Slack, communications specialist for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), the “S-word” signals something far more serious: the start of long days, sleepless nights, and the full activation of a year-round effort to keep the region moving safely.

During this year’s annual “Snow Show” on The Valley Today – click here to listen – host Janet Michael talks with Ken to uncover what really happens behind the scenes before, during, and after winter storms. The conversation reveals a complex system of planning, people, equipment, and science—all working together to protect the Shenandoah Valley’s roads.

A Year-Round Operation: Preparing for Winter in July

Although most Virginians don’t think about snow until the weather turns cold, VDOT never stops planning for winter. Ken explains that salt acquisition, equipment preparation, and contractor coordination happen “pretty much year-round.” Because Mid-Atlantic states often pull from the same salt suppliers, VDOT begins stockpiling materials months in advance.

By early summer, the agency starts contracting plow operators and supplemental crews—critical partners, since VDOT alone cannot cover the 11-county region with 150 miles of Interstate 81 in the Staunton District. For many contractors, winter work fills seasonal employment gaps, making it a mutually beneficial relationship.

As fall approaches, VDOT conducts “dry runs,” where plows, spreaders, dump trucks, graders, and even the occasional snowblower undergo rigorous inspection. Mechanics check everything from hydraulics to electronic components to the flashing safety lights. New operators also drive their designated routes with seasoned staff to learn every cul-de-sac, mailbox, driveway, and hazard before the first storm arrives.

More Than Machines: The Human Infrastructure

VDOT’s winter workforce extends far beyond plow drivers. The agency maintains equipment repair shops in multiple locations—including Staunton, Winchester, Harrisonburg, and Alleghany County—staffed with specialists who not only service vehicles in the shop but often crawl under trucks on the roadside during storms.

The agency also relies on dozens of employees whose regular jobs have nothing to do with snow removal. During weather events, environmental staff, surveyors, office workers, and administrative teams might be reassigned to phone operations, storm reporting, or road-condition updates that feed directly into the statewide 511 Virginia system.

As Ken puts it, “VDOT is an all-hands-on-deck operation whenever it snows.”

Forecasting the Fight: Science Meets Local Knowledge

Weather drives nearly every decision VDOT makes during a storm. To stay ahead, the agency collaborates closely with two National Weather Service offices—Sterling for the northern Shenandoah Valley and Blacksburg for the southern region—while also relying on a private forecasting consultant.

However, the most valuable insights often come from the ground. Supervisors stationed throughout the district contribute hyperlocal knowledge about cold pockets, shaded roadways, tricky curves, and elevations where conditions can change dramatically within a few miles. This matters in a district that stretches from Page County’s valleys to Highland County’s rugged ridges, nicknamed “Virginia’s Switzerland” for its long, snowy seasons.

Understanding Treatments: Brine, Salt, and Abrasives

One of the most common misconceptions among drivers involves road treatments—particularly when VDOT chooses not to pre-treat ahead of a storm. Ken clarifies that brine (a saltwater solution) only works when applied well in advance of snowfall. If a storm begins with rain, the liquid simply washes away. That’s why VDOT carefully times its anti-icing operations 24 to 36 hours before precipitation arrives.

Salt remains the standard treatment, but once temperatures drop into the low 20s or teens, its effectiveness weakens. That’s when the agency may incorporate abrasives—fine, gritty particles smaller than pea gravel—to help vehicles gain traction. In extreme cold, VDOT may also use calcium chloride, a more potent but costlier option reserved for the harshest conditions.

And yes—VDOT mixes its own brine in giant onsite tanks equipped with agitators.

The Interstates Come First: Prioritizing What Matters Most

When snow starts falling, VDOT’s first priority is always the interstates and major primary roads that support hospitals, fire and rescue, commercial trucking, and essential travel. During heavy storms, plow operators may spend the entire event clearing a single 30-mile stretch of Interstate 81, circling back and forth until snowfall eases.

Only once the major routes are reasonably clear can operators move to secondary roads and neighborhoods.

Why Staying Home Makes a Difference

Both Janet and Ken stress one message above all: staying off the roads during storms dramatically improves safety—and speeds up VDOT’s work.

“It’s a lot easier to plow a road that doesn’t have any vehicles on it,” Ken explains. Fewer cars mean fewer accidents, fewer stuck vehicles blocking lanes, and fewer obstacles for plow drivers navigating low visibility and icy conditions.

For those who must drive—retail workers, health-care employees, and service professionals—Ken offers clear advice: leave early, drive slowly, avoid sudden movements, and give yourself far more stopping distance than usual. And when in doubt, assume the road is icy—especially when freezing rain creates hazardous, nearly invisible “black ice.”

Tools for Drivers: 511 and Real-Time Road Temperature Data

VDOT’s 511 Virginia system provides far more than traffic cameras. Drivers can access pavement temperature readings, weather station data, alerts, and real-time incident reports—tools that help them decide when (or whether) to travel.

Even VDOT staff use the traffic cameras to track approaching storms: “They’ll watch the snow hit Mount Jackson, and they know it’s coming next.”

A Final Word: Respect the Storm

As the conversation ends, Ken offers one last reminder: preparation, patience, and caution remain the keys to a safer winter season. Whether you’re a commuter, a weekend traveler, or just someone who loves snow days, VDOT’s work depends on drivers doing their part.

And if you need an excuse to stay home? Janet jokes that she’ll be citing Ken personally.

VDOT starts blasting near Strasburg for I-81 improvements October 27

crossover boulevard bridge

Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reports by email that controlled blasting is scheduled to begin October 27 near Strasburg.

The blasting will continue through October 31 near mile marker 297.

The work is done to remove a large area of rock in the median of Interstate 81 in Shenandoah County.

The blasting will be done once or twice a week between 10 a.m. and 12 noon Tuesday to Thursdays through early December.

Before each blasting period Virginia State Police will conduct a slow roll or even a brief stop on both directions of 81 between exits 296 and 298.

A slow roll is created by law enforcement vehicles in all four travel lanes doing as low as 10 miles per hour.

In some cases a complete stop will be needed lasting no longer than 15 minutes at a time.

During the blasting traffic will be stopped by flaggers on Route 55 near the 81 interchange as well.

This blasting is going to be heard in Strasburg and will not be done on Election Day November 4, Veterans Day November 11 or during Thanksgiving week.

The work is all part of the widening work for 81 just south of the exit 300 junction with Interstate 66.

The work is to add a third 4-mile-long southbound lane to 81 and replace the bridge over Cedar Creek.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Bridging Progress: Inside VDOT Roadwork

vdot road report sept 2025 pod

In a recent episode of “The Valley Today,” host Janet Michael sat down with Ken Slack, Communications Specialist for the Staunton District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), to pull back the curtain on the region’s most pressing road projects and the intricate web of planning, funding, and public engagement that makes them possible. Click here to listen.

The conversation opened with a celebration: the long-awaited reopening of Rockland Road, now featuring a new bridge over the Norfolk Southern railway. For years, drivers endured lengthy delays as trains blocked the at-grade crossing, sometimes for up to 20 minutes. Ken explained how federal funding—specifically from a maritime economic development grant—helped transform this bottleneck into a smooth, elevated crossing. The project, while nearly complete, still has a few finishing touches, but the impact is already being felt by local commuters and emergency services.

Janet and Ken delved into the complexities of infrastructure funding, revealing that a single project can draw from a dozen different sources, including federal, state, and local grants. Ken described the “colors of money” that VDOT’s programming section juggles, especially for large-scale projects like bridges and interstate improvements. The conversation highlighted how creative thinking and persistence are often required to secure the necessary resources, particularly for projects that don’t fit neatly into traditional funding formulas.

A major focus of the episode was the I-81 Corridor Improvement Program, a multi-year, multi-billion-dollar initiative to address safety, congestion, and capacity issues along one of Virginia’s most vital highways. Ken outlined how dedicated funding—sourced from gas taxes and trucking fees—has enabled VDOT to move from wishful thinking to breaking ground on real improvements. The program, which covers 325 miles from Winchester to Bristol, is guided by a “smart scale-ish” scoring system that weighs safety, traffic mitigation, accessibility, and environmental impact to prioritize projects.

Public input, Ken emphasized, is a cornerstone of VDOT’s approach. Through online surveys, in-person meetings, and even one-on-one conversations with court reporters, the department gathers feedback from those who know the roads best: the people who drive them every day. Janet underscored the importance of this dialogue, noting that solutions are most effective when they’re informed by real-world experiences and concerns.

The episode also touched on the challenges of construction—environmental restrictions, utility relocations, and the need to keep traffic moving even as bridges are replaced or widened. Ken shared anecdotes about the planning and execution required to minimize disruption, as well as the long-term vision behind building infrastructure designed to last for generations.

Innovative intersection designs, such as roundabouts and the unique quadrant roadway interchange in Front Royal, were discussed as examples of VDOT’s willingness to try new solutions where they make sense. While change can be met with skepticism, Ken and Janet agreed that education and patience are key to helping communities adapt and ultimately benefit from safer, more efficient roads.

As the conversation wrapped up, Ken pointed listeners to resources like the Improve81.org website and VDOT’s own pages on innovative intersections, encouraging the public to stay informed and engaged. With winter approaching, Janet joked about her preference for staying off the roads during snowstorms—a sentiment Ken, representing VDOT’s snowplow crews, wholeheartedly endorsed.

VDOT Road Report: Bridge Repairs & I-81 Widening at Strasburg

vdot july 2025 road report

In this latest edition of ‘The Valley Today,’ host Janet Michael engages in a comprehensive discussion with Ken Slack, a communication specialist for the Staunton District of VDOT. The conversation – listen here – revolves around various crucial road improvement projects and provides insights into the progress and challenges faced by VDOT.

Highlighting bridge maintenance and replacements, Ken explained the ongoing work on the 66 overpass in Front Royal, slated for completion by the end of July. Ken detailed the comprehensive repainting process of the I-66 bridges over Route 345 22, emphasizing its importance in maintaining the structural integrity of the 3,500 bridges and culverts managed by VDOT.

The conversation then shifted to the significant Rockland Road project, which promises to eliminate train-related traffic delays. Ken anticipated the Rockland Road bridge to open before the summer’s end, a notable achievement given its original Spring 2026 completion date.

Discussion also addressed the extensive widening of Interstate 81 in Strasburg, set for completion by fall 2028. Ken pointed out the complexities of this $59 million project, encompassing four miles of southbound expansion, with additional bridge replacements over Cedar Creek and the CSX railway.

Beyond these specific projects, the duo discussed the broader I-81 Corridor Improvement Program. Ken shared insights into upcoming public meetings aimed at gathering feedback on potential solutions for congestion and safety issues along this vital corridor. The balance between public input and comprehensive traffic studies aims to refine and prioritize future improvements.

The discussion concluded with updates on other key projects, including the Old Charlestown Road Bridge replacement and the dissemination of information via VDOT’s website and social media channels. Ken reassured listeners of VDOT’s commitment to transparency and community involvement in their ongoing and upcoming works.

VDOT holds public hearing for 522-Costello Drive intersection

traffic flow

The Virginia Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on July 8th from 4 pm -6 pm at the Millwood Station Banquet Hall regarding improvements to the intersection of Route 522, Costello Drive, and Travelodge Lane.

The project will add additional turn lanes with the goal of improving traffic flow and operations at the intersection.

This intersection will also be converted to a thru-cut that restricts movement on side streets.

A median will be installed on Route 522 between Costello Drive and Travelodge Lane to create the thru-cut along.

A high visibility crosswalk will also be included in the construction.

The new design will help the intersection with the anticipated increase in traffic flow on Costello Drive which reached an average of 2,600 vehicles per day in 2024 to an estimated 29,400 vehicles per day in 2046.

A link for more information on the project can be found here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

News Makers Ken and Dave on a VDOT I-81 safety survey

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) continues to work to make Interstate 81 safer.

We spoke to VDOT I-81 Program Delivery Director Dave Covington and Stanton District Communications Coordinator Ken Slack about it in our latest news maker.

News makers are sponsored by Warren County.

Experience Warren County Where History, Nature, and Family Come Together.

The two men tell us that there is a survey available for public input on safety issues regarding all of I-81.

Dave talks specifics regarding 81 at Strasburg and southbound.

Both men acknowledged that any and all improvements will take time to complete as it is an ongoing process.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

VSP and VDOT are working the inclement weather as fast and safely as possible

A Virginia State Police (VSP) email reports that they continue to monitor travel in the state.

As of last night 118, crashes have already been reported with 20 of those involving injuries across Virginia.

Caution is advised as additional snow fall is forecast.

The latest by email from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) reports that they continue to plow roads.

Primary roads and emergency snow routes will be cleared first.

Primary roads locally include Interstates 81 and 66 along with Route 11 and secondary roads to be worked as time and manpower permit.

VSP and VDOT are urging citizens to not travel unless absolutely necessary.

The latest road conditions for both Virginia and West Virginia can be monitored at the links in bold.

If you do have to travel, go well below the speed limit and allow distance between vehicles as well as plows.

With freezing temperatures conditions are going to deteriorate.

It is going to take longer to come to a complete stop in slick conditions.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.