Second Series Of Meetings Planned On I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan Public input invited on potential improvements and revenue sources as study continues   Richmond, VA (August 6, 2018) - The Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment, the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation continue to study the entire length of the Interstate 81 corridor in the Commonwealth of Virginia, in accordance with Senate Bill 971 (now 2018 Acts of Assembly Chapter 743). The study team has scheduled the second series of meetings for late August, which will focus on potential improvements and revenue sources. Feedback provided by members of communities, industries and other stakeholders will be considered as team members continue study of the corridor throughout the summer and prepare a draft plan report in the fall. The team will make recommendations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) for adoption prior to the opening of the 2019 General Assembly session. The public meetings will be held from 4-7 p.m. on the below-listed dates at the noted locations. Presentations will be held at the beginning of each meeting at 4 p.m. followed by an open house through 7 p.m., which will allow attendees to speak one-on-one with study team members, ask questions and provide written and verbal comments. Monday, August 20, 2018 Bristol District Holiday Inn Bristol 3005 Linden Drive Bristol, VA 24202       Wednesday, August 22, 2018 Staunton District (north) Lord Fairfax Community College 173 Skirmisher Lane Middletown, VA 22645 Thursday, August 23, 2018 Staunton District (south) Blue Ridge Community College Plecker Center for Continuing Education One College Lane Weyers Cave, VA 24486      Tuesday, August 28, 2018 Salem District Salem Civic Center 1001 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, VA 24153 Comments will be accepted at the meeting or by contacting Ben Mannell, study manager, at VA81CorridorPlan@OIPI.Virginia.gov or by mail to 1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, Virginia 23219, or by phone at 804-786-2971. The comment period will end September 30, 2018. Additional comment opportunities will be available throughout the study. The study team will hold a final series of meetings along the corridor in the fall, which will cover recommended packages of improvements. For more information about the study, or to view meeting materials, visit www.VA81Corridor.org. For additional information about the CTB, visit www.CTB.Virginia.gov.

* * * * *