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

Guest: Ken Slack, Communications Specialist, VDOT Staunton District Episode Summary Host Janet Michael sits down with VDOT's Ken Slack to get the latest on road construction, pothole season, and a major trail feasibility study affecting the Shenandoah Valley. Recorded on a stormy "Tornado Monday," the two cover everything from orange barrels blowing away in high winds to a nearly 50-mile potential rail trail corridor. Topics Covered I-81 Southbound Widening at Strasburg Project is approximately one-third complete and on schedule Completion target: Fall 2028 New steel beams recently placed for a replacement bridge over Cedar Creek at the Shenandoah/Warren County line A traffic shift onto the new bridge section is expected around August Concrete barriers separate the work zone from traffic for safety Winchester Interstate Improvements Upcoming projects will be bundled into a design-build contract Includes widening and improvements at the Exit 317 interchange (diverging diamond interchange) Project divided into northern and southern segments due to scope Construction still a couple of years away Pothole Season Peak season: late winter through early spring Caused by the freeze-thaw cycle — water seeps into cracks, expands when frozen, contracts when thawed, eventually breaking up the surface VDOT uses hot mix, cold mix, and warm mix patching — cold mix is temporary but can be applied year-round Repeated potholes in the same area may trigger fuller road rehabilitation How to Report a Pothole Online: Search "MyVDOT" — mobile-friendly, easy to use Phone: 800-FOR-ROAD Reports go to real people at a customer service center, who create work orders for the nearest area headquarters Road Salt & Bridge Preservation Salt can cause corrosion in bridges, particularly at seams and joints The Front Royal bridge over the South Fork Shenandoah River (completed ~2017) is the longest jointless structure in Virginia at ~1,900 feet — minimizing salt infiltration and extending its lifespan Rail-with-Trail Feasibility Study Nearly 50-mile former Norfolk Southern rail corridor from Broadway (northern Rockingham County) through Mount Jackson, Strasburg, and Woodstock to Front Royal Study is examining both rail-to-trail conversion and rail-with-trail options (keeping the rail line active alongside a recreational trail) Public meetings in April in Woodstock, Timberville, and Front Royal Online survey also coming in early April Final report will go to the Commonwealth Transportation Board Resources & Links VDOT website: vdot.virginia.gov Report a pothole or road issue: Search MyVDOT Real-time traffic & construction info: 511Virginia VDOT customer service: 800-FOR-ROAD