The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill that includes $17 million in federal funding for improvements to Interstate 81, following a 341-88 vote on January 22. The funding was proposed by U.S. Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA) and is now awaiting consideration in the Senate.
“For years, residents of Virginia’s Sixth District have told me how dangerous and congested I-81 has become,” said Rep. Cline. “This bill’s passage out of the House puts us one step closer to critical improvements that will make I-81 safer, more efficient, and better equipped to serve commuters, families, and the truck drivers who keep our regional economy moving.
“This is a meaningful step toward delivering the reliable interstate our communities along the I-81 corridor deserve,” added the congressman.
Interstate 81 is an important transportation route, with over 12 million commercial trucks using it annually to move about $300 billion in goods. The increase in traffic has highlighted the need for modernization efforts to help ensure timely deliveries and reduce disruptions affecting both local businesses and national commerce.
The proposed funds are part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 (H.R. 7148), which covers multiple federal departments including Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Defense, and Labor. According to a summary from Rep. Cline’s office, the investment would support upgrades and potential widening projects along I-81.
Ben Cline has represented Virginia’s 6th district in Congress since replacing Bob Goodlatte in 2019. Before serving in Congress, he was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2018. Cline was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1972 and currently lives in Fincastle at age 51. He holds a BA from Bates College (1994) and a JD from the University of Richmond (2007).
