News & Event Announcements
CSPDC Hosts MPO Roundtable in Fishersville
Transportation planning professionals from across Virginia gathered at the BRITE Transit Facility in Fishersville on August 27th for a collaborative roundtable discussion hosted by CSPDC’s transportation team. The three-hour event brought together staff from eight different Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) to tackle shared challenges and exchange valuable insights.
The afternoon began with a networking lunch that allowed participants to connect informally before diving into substantive discussions. The facilitated roundtable centered on meeting local transportation needs, along with persistent funding gaps that challenge project implementation across regions. The second discussion topic focused on examining the unique challenges faced by localities along the I-81 corridor where congestion and incidents on the interstate often force through traffic onto the local roadway networks. Participants shared experiences and strategies for advancing projects in these high-impact areas.
The event concluded with an open discussion where staff highlighted current projects, sought advice from peers, and exchanged ideas related to ongoing studies. This collaborative exchange was especially meaningful for the many participants who are new to their agencies or positions.
Future roundtables could explore different topics and rotate to various locations throughout the State, ensuring broader accessibility while maintaining the valuable in-person networking component that made this inaugural event so successful.
Senator Emmett Hanger Recognized for Outstanding Legislative Service
Pictured from left to right; Frank Friedman, CSPDC Chairman, Senator Emmett Hanger, David Blount, VAPDC Executive Director
The Virginia Association of Planning District Commissions (VAPDC) recently celebrated the far-reaching legislative impact of former Senator Emmett Hanger with the Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award at the August 18th Board of Commissioners meeting. David Blount, VAPDC Executive Director and longtime colleague of Senator Hanger presented the award, noting “VAPDC is excited to present this Lifetime Legislative Achievement Award to Senator Hanger. Having worked with Senator Hanger during his time in the Senate, I saw firsthand his passion and leadership on so many issues important to localities and regions.”
In 2018, Hanger was recognized as the nation’s 10th most productive state legislator by FiscalNote. Hanger earned the distinction with his cumulative legislative record since his election to the Senate in 1995 — not including eight years he served in the House of Delegates.
Our region is grateful for Senator Hanger’s many years of service in the General Assembly and we were honored to host him at his “home” PDC for the award presentation.
National Park Service Partners with Goshen to Transform Unused Land into Community Park
For over two decades, residents of the Town of Goshen have watched 42 acres of donated land sit empty, waiting for its promised purpose. Now, that wait is finally over.
In 2025, the NPS selected Goshen to receive technical assistance to support the planning and development of a new community park. The proposed park site is Town-owned, features scenic views of the surrounding Alleghany Mountains, and has direct access to the Calfpasture River.
The proposed new park offers benefits not only to Goshen residents, but also to neighboring communities. Mayor Thomas McCraw says that many Town and surrounding Rockbridge County residents must travel between 8 and 20 miles to reach the nearest community park. The new park would provide convenient, local access to outdoor recreation opportunities for seniors, families, and individuals in the area.
Preliminary concepts for the park include a large public green space, a music venue, and a network of walking trails and boardwalks. With guidance from the NPS, the Town will develop a clear framework to ensure the final design reflects the community’s highest priorities and most desired amenities.
Ann Cundy, Executive Director of the CSPDC states “The CSPDC is proud to support Goshen and the National Park Service on this transformative project. Recently, we helped the Town and County secure access to the Industrial Revitalization Fund (IRF) for the revitalization of the Stillwater Facility as well as secure Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for a new community center in Goshen. I am inspired by the Town’s vision, persistence, and commitment. They have so much to be proud of.”
Nathan L. Hilbert from the NPS says “We are excited to dig into the project with Goshen to make the community park a reality. The NPS-RTCA program will assist in gathering community input and developing conceptual designs that will lead to future funding. I was really inspired by the history of Goshen, the dynamic park committee, and the goals laid out over the next year. The park is a unique opportunity for the community to create a space that builds connection, wellness, and just plain fun.”
Executive Director Ann Cundy Featured on Shenandoah Valley Life Podcast
Executive Director Ann Cundy recently joined host Jay Langston on the Shenandoah Valley Life Podcast, sharing about her years in the region and CSPDC’s role in supporting local communities. The Shenandoah Valley Partnership podcast showcases residents who are living, working and thriving in Virginia’s iconic valley.
During their conversation, Ann discussed her lifelong connections to the Valley and explored how CSPDC’s diverse programs work hand-in-hand with SVP’s efforts to boost economic development and create jobs throughout the region. Since launching in 2021, SVP has produced 55 podcast episodes featuring local leaders and innovators.
Curious to learn more about CSPDC’s regional initiatives? Listen to Ann’s episode of the SV Life podcast here.
I-81 Transformation Continues: Updates to Corridor Study
Widening activity in Staunton
Virginia continues efforts to transform the Interstate 81 corridor with a comprehensive new study. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), working alongside the Office of Intermodal Planning and Investment and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, is developing an updated Corridor Improvement Plan (CIP) for the entire 325-mile I-81 corridor within the Commonwealth. This latest initiative builds upon the success of the previous 2018 study, which identified 65 construction projects worth approximately $3 billion that are already completed or are now in development.
Current and Upcoming Projects in Our Region
The Staunton Construction District has two active projects and three more on the horizon:
Currently Underway:
- Widening to three lanes between Exit 221 and Exit 225 in both directions through the City of Staunton (completion projected for June 2027)
- Adding a truck climbing lane near Weyers Cave between mile markers 234 and 237 Southbound (completion projected for December 2027)
Planned Projects:
- Widening to three lanes between Exit 243 and 247 in both directions through Harrisonburg (anticipated start September 2025)
- Extending the acceleration/deceleration lane on the Southbound side of the Mt. Sidney rest area in Augusta County (anticipated start January 2028)
- Widening to three lanes in Rockbridge County between Exit 205 and 200 Southbound (anticipated start May 2028)
With these planned improvements in progress, VDOT is reassessing traffic conditions to determine which areas require attention next, focusing on segments with the highest rate and severity of crashes or the most significant traffic delays while excluding portions where recent widenings or truck-climbing lanes have been completed or are currently under development.
Through a three-phase public engagement process, VDOT will gather community input throughout the planning process. The initial spring phase focused on issue identification through virtual surveys and interactive mapping, allowing the public to report safety and congestion problems. During the summer phase, completed in July 2025, the study team presented potential solutions at four in-person meetings held in Weyers Cave, Winchester, Bristol, and Salem, with nearly 1,700 people responding to the accompanying online survey. You can view the presentation and project boards that were shared at these public meetings at the following links:
Proposed Projects in the Staunton District
I-81 CIP Round 2 – Potential Solutions Presentation
The final engagement phase this fall will help refine recommendations before presenting them to the I-81 Advisory Committee and Commonwealth Transportation Board by year’s end.
Community input remains crucial to the success of these transportation improvements, which focus on enhancing safety, reducing congestion, and supporting economic growth along this vital corridor that serves as a critical artery for freight movement and regional connectivity.
Learn more about the 2025 Corridor Improvement Plan Study, projects previously completed and those underway at www.Improve81.org.