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The Valley Today is a radio show and podcast dedicated to shining a light on the vibrant community leaders and local events that make the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia truly special.  Insightful conversations, engaging stories, and event details connect listeners with the heart and soul of the valley, showcasing its unique culture, initiatives, and people.
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  2. On the Road with VDOT: Widening 81, Potholes, and the Rail Trail

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

Mar 23, 2026

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