112 MacTanly Place
Staunton, VA 24401
phone: 540-885-5174
fax: 540-885-2687
Investments in the Region Report FY24
CSPDC Housing Study Report Released
View Our Regional Collaboration Video
Welcome to the CSPDC
The Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission (CSPDC) represents and serves the local governments of Augusta, Bath, Highland, Rockbridge, and Rockingham counties and the cities of Buena Vista, Harrisonburg, Lexington, Staunton and Waynesboro as well as the 11 towns within the Central Shenandoah region.
The CSPDC works with its member jurisdictions, communities and agencies to provide high-quality planning, technical assistance, and facilitation of services that address local, regional and state needs in an innovative, timely and cooperative manner. Covering everything from land use planning, transportation, water and waste-water utilities, natural resource management, affordable housing, economic and community development, disaster mitigation and preparedness, agritourism to human services, the CSPDC is an invaluable asset to the quality of life in the Shenandoah Valley. For more information about the CSPDC, click here.
Latest News
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.
Danielle Gannon Selected for Virginia Transit Leadership Institute
We are proud to announce that Danielle Gannon has been selected to join the Virginia Transit Association’s (VTA) third cohort of the Virginia Transit Leadership Institute (VTLI).
The Virginia Transit Leadership Institute is a nine-month intensive program designed for mid-level professionals and future executives ready to see transit through a comprehensive, statewide lens. Through five immersive full-day sessions, participants will dive deep into leadership development, expand their industry knowledge, and enhance critical skills that will shape Virginia’s transportation landscape.
Danielle will join peers from across Virginia’s transit ecosystem, including representatives from Hampton Roads Transit, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Greater Richmond Transit Company, DASH/Alexandria Transit Company, and many others. This diverse cohort brings together perspectives from urban and rural systems, creating a rich learning environment that reflects Virginia’s varied transportation needs.
Danielle’s selection reflects both her individual expertise and the CSPDC’s commitment to advancing public transportation in our region. The knowledge, professional connections, and leadership skills she’ll gain through VTLI will directly benefit the communities we serve, ensuring our transit planning efforts remain innovative and responsive to evolving needs.
The program will culminate in a graduation ceremony at the VTA Annual Conference Awards Luncheon in 2026. Congratulations, Danielle, on this well-deserved recognition!
The Virginia Transit Association represents over 125 members working together to advocate for more efficient and sustainable public transportation throughout Virginia.
