What VDOT cuts mean to Southwest Virginia

Interstate 81 will see no major improvement in the next six years.

By: Angela Hatcher | WSLS
Published: October 16, 2008

Virginia Secretary of Transportation Pierce Homer announced Wednesday transportation revenues are expected to be down more than $2 billion over the next six years.

VDOT's six year plan will be revised between now and January. Any highway construction project not currently under contract or construction could be cut. On a conference call Wednesday afternoon, Homer said Interstate 81 may see safety improvements in some spots as needed but will not see any major improvements.

VDOT plans to cut 900 jobs. On the same conference call, VDOT Commissioner David Ekern tells us asked for a reduction of the senior management team by 20 percent. He says the job cuts will come from central office and across the districts.

VDOT plans to close some residencies, which are operation centers within counties. They have not determined which ones will close but the ones that remain open will have to serve more than one county.

VDOT has contracts with outside companies for some services, including snow removal on highways in Southwest Virginia. VDOT will honor those contracts but is working with the outside companies to find ways to lower the cost.