6 states to cooperate on improving I-81 corridor

Virginia, West Virginia and four other states have agreed to cooperate in planning for rail and highway improvements along the Interstate 81 corridor.

The Virginia Department of Transportation announced Friday that Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York signed a memorandum of understanding to work together. The goal is to establish a seamless freight and passenger network along I-81 and its extensions.

All six states are members of the Interstate 81 Regional Commerce Corridor.

The agreement calls for the states to share and coordinate I-81 freight truck and rail study planning. They also will consider a joint work plan to identify long-term funding needs.

Brief by The Associated Press