Current conditions on I-81 are unsafe, unreliable, and impede commerce. It is past time to address the severe challenges that I-81 presents so that businesses, commuters, students, visitors and residents can travel safely throughout Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
The Roanoke Regional Chamber endorses the following legislative proposals to fund improvements to I-81. To learn more about these bills, click here. We applaud the leadership of lawmakers who are championing and supporting this critical issue.
1.SB 1716 (Obenshain) / HB2718 (Landes):Interstate 81; tolling; Interstate 81 Corridor Improvement Fund. Authorizes the Commonwealth Transportation Board to impose tolls on Interstate 81.
2.SB1322 (Hanger):Tax on motor fuels. Imposes an additional 2.1 percent tax on motor fuels sold at wholesale to a retail dealer for sale in a locality along the Interstate 81 Corridor.
3.SB1470 (Edwards):Additional motor fuels tax. Imposes an additional motor fuels tax equal to five percent of the average wholesale price of gasoline on the sale of gasoline, gasohol, diesel, and alternative fuels.
Budget Update
The Roanoke Regional Chamber supports the following funding priorities as lawmakers consider amendments to the 2018-20 budget.
Virginia Jobs Investment Program
New Economy Workforce Credential Grant Program
Virginia Telecommunications Initiative
Business Ready Sites Program
Fralin Biomedical Research Institute – expansion of biomedical research
Roanoke Regional Airport Commission – two- year initiative to expand air service
