Interstate 81 project would include truck-only toll lanes

Virginia transportation officials are considering a plan to widen Interstate 81 to eight lanes, according to the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. In the plan, truckers would pay tolls to use four reserved lanes. Under the proposal, truck tolls would pay at least half the cost of the I-81 project. Federal and state taxes on fuel and other transportation resources would repay the remaining debt.

Cars would travel in the remaining four, toll-free lanes from Bristol to the Winchester area. Lanes would be separated by rumble-strip medians along most stretches, and by concrete barriers in places. There would be separate ramps for cars and trucks at major truck-route interchanges.