General Assembly bill would study how to improve I-81

There's a new bill in the Virginia General Assembly that would study how to fund improvements to Interstate 81.

The bill would make the Commonwealth Transportation Board study the possibility of using truck tolls to fund improvements to I-81.

Senator Mark Obenshain (R - Rockingham) proposed the bill.

According to the senator's office, the bill would identify improvements for specific sections of I-81 and develop tolls that would try to not disturb local traffic.

Torie Dann commutes to work every day using I-81. She said she would like to see improvements to the interstate, but she said improvements should be funded by everyone using it.

"Some days it can be frustrating. The traffic and getting backed up especially when you're trying to pass," Dann said. "But I'm not sure if making the truckers pay for it is the right way to go."

Senator Bill Carrico (R - Grayson), a co-patron of the bill and Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation, said that improving I-81 has been overlooked for too long.