Multiple improvements are funded for the East Market Street corridor between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Burgess Road/Linda Lane, including upgrades to the I-81 interchange (exit 247). The I-81 southbound off-ramp will be realigned and a 500-foot acceleration merge lane will be created to enhance safety and reduce peak period congestion. A 10-ft wide shared use path will be constructed in the median of US 33 (Market Street) from Martin Luther King Jr. Way to Burgess Road/Linda Lane. The path will have pedestrian signals and crossing improvements at four intersections along the corridor. Its location in the median allows it to avoid interchange acceleration and deceleration lanes on the north or south side of the road, where it would otherwise be located, making it a safer location. The East Market Street eastbound to I-81northbound on-ramp will be reconfigured, with a new signal being constructed to allow vehicles to turn left onto the existing East Market Street westbound to I-81 northbound on-ramp to go north. These improvements are funded through a VDOT Smart Scale grant. Replacement of 4 bridges will also be completed, funded through the VDOT State of Good Repair program.
Additional information and project diagrams are available on the VDOT webpage. VDOT also created a video that gives and overview of the effort.