Interstate 81

Interstate 81

A heavily traveled trucking corridor, as it provides part of a bypass of Washington, Baltimore and New York between the southeastern U.S. and New England states, Interstate 81 runs northeast along the spine of the Appalachian Mountains throughout the state of Virginia. Replacing U.S. 11, I-81 connects smaller and regional cities in western Virginia. These include Bristol, Wytheville, Lexington, Staunton and Winchester. Long term planning to address increasing freight travel and congestion included tolling options and adding truck only lanes.

Interstate 81 Virginia Guides

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South

Interstate 81 bypassing Bristol opened to traffic on November 20, 1961. The six mile section extended east from the Tennessee state line to U.S. 11/19 east of Bristol in Washington County (Exit 5). Costing $7 million, the project included constructing the one mile long connecting spur (I-381). The State Highway Department also debuted a new welcome sign on this stretch. The four color panel was designed with white lettering on a blue field, with a cardinal perched on a branch of dogwood on one side. The new sign would replace an obsolete welcome markers and be placed at 30 other state line points on Interstates and Primary Roads.1

References:

  1. "Bristol Bypass Opens Monday." The Progress-Index (Petersburg, VA), November 19, 1961.

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Page Updated Tuesday August 10, 2021.