A Lane of Their Own: VDOT to Add Truck Climbing Lanes on I-81

Mon August 22, 2011 - Southeast Edition
Brenda Ruggiero

A new truck climbing lane is currently under construction in Virginia along Interstate 81 in Rockbridge County near Lexington.

The project is reportedly in line with a resolution passed by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in Oct. 2006 that directed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to implement a program of safety improvements to I-81, including the construction of truck climbing lanes.

According to VDOT, about one dozen locations along steep grades on I-81 have been identified where climbing lanes would improve traffic flow and safety. The Rockbridge location was named as a top priority.

The contract was awarded to W.C. English Inc., of Lynchburg, and the project began on Feb. 25, 2009. Substantial completion has been set for Sept. 4, 2012. Bernie Davis is the project manager for English.

The full dollar amount for the project is $74.2 million, and funding is from both federal and state sources. The contract calls for grading, drainage, paving, box culverts and the construction of three bridges.

The project is located on the northbound lanes between mile marker 195.6 and 202.5. The 6.97-mi. (11.2 km) project will add the truck-climbing lane; replace the bridges at Route 716, Route 712 and Route 710; improve existing left and right shoulders; and upgrade guardrails, guardrail transitions and end treatments to meet current Federal Highway standards.

“This location on I-81 northbound has one of the longest and steepest uphill grades, higher than average crashes compared to other uphill grades, and low operating speeds for trucks within the VDOT Staunton District,” a VDOT spokesperson noted. “Truck climbing lane locations were identified in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials criteria during the corridor study conducted in the late 1990s.”

It was reported that the average traffic volume in this particular area was 45,500 vehicles per day in 2009. The average is projected to increase to 68,650 vehicles per day by 2029.

Approximately 80 people are assigned to the Design-Build project.

Davis reported that challenges include constructing the project in phases and working with the I-81 traffic.

Major subcontractors include Adams Construction Company, Ramirez Contractors LLC, Wilbur Smith Associates (QC), RK & K (QA), and AECOM USA Inc. (designers). CEG

This story also appears on Truck and Trailer Guide.

Brenda Ruggiero

Brenda Ruggiero has written for CEG for over 20 years. She lives near the town of Accident in far western Maryland. Her favorite assignments so far involved interviews with Survivor’s Boston Rob and hot dog eating champion Joey Chestnut. Both were involved in construction at one time.

Brenda holds a BA in Mass Communication with a writing focus from Frostburg State University and minors in Public Relations and Political Science. She works full time as a staff writer for a weekly newspaper, the Garrett County Republican. She enjoys feature writing the most, which gives her the opportunity to talk to people and share their stories.

Brenda and her middle school sweetheart, Reuben, have been married for over 34 years and have three grown children and four cats.

Today's top stories

Turner Construction Leads $675M Concourse Project

Prioritize Planned Maintenance to Get the Most Out of Your Machines

Depreciation Bonus Begins Phase-Out

National Attachments Celebrates Its 35th Anniversary

California's I-80 Pavement Rehab Project Moving Along

CEG Speaks With New President of Chadwick-BaRoss, Thompson Equipment

Boston, MBTA Officials Reveal New Designs for Future Blue Hill Avenue Transit Project

Ole Miss Progressing Toward Construction of $125M Accountancy School

Read more about...

Off-Highway Trucks On-Road Trucks

Our Main Office

Construction Equipment Guide
470 Maryland Drive
Fort Washington, PA 19034
800-523-2200

About Us

Construction Equipment Guide covers the nation with its four regional newspapers, offering construction and industry news and information along with new and used construction equipment for sale from dealers in your area. Now we extend those services and information to the internet. Making it as easy as possible to find the news and equipment that you need and want.

Contents Copyrighted 2024, by Construction Equipment Guide, which is a Registered Trademark, registered in the U.S. Patent Office. Registration number 0957323. All rights reserved, nothing may be reprinted or reproduced (including framing) in whole or part without written permission from the publisher. All editorial material, photographs, drawings, letters, and other material will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to Construction Equipment Guide’s unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially. Contributor articles do not necessarily reflect the policy or opinions of this publication.

Read our privacy policy here.
Mastodon

\\ \\ \\