Va. Governor Bob McDonnell may be full steam ahead on his plan to toll Interstate 95 at the North Carolina border as a way to raise money for infrastructure projects. But at least two of his fellow Republicans are putting on the brakes.
U.S. Senate Candidate George Allen recently announced his opposition to the plan, saying “Southern Virginia already faces significant economic challenges and these tolls could disadvantage job-creating businesses in the region, and the hardworking Virginia families already suffering from skyrocketing fuel costs.”
Just days later, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) fired off his third letter to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) asking the agency to deny the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDOT) proposal to install a toll on I-95 in Sussex County.
Rep. Forbes emphasized his continued opposition to VDOT’s application, which was filed Aug. 24, saying “it has been made clear that the interests and concerns of Southside Virginians have not been adequately addressed.”
The cacophony of voices opposing the I-95 tolling plan is growing louder by the day. To date, 20 local governments, eight trade associations, 16 businesses, and thousands of Va. residents have opposed the plan.
We’re glad to see politicians adding their name to the list of those taking a stand against Gov. McDonnell’s plan to toll I-95. We hope more will do the same.
This blog post is reposted with permission from the Partnership to Save Highway Communities. The Partnership to Save Highway Communities is a coalition of associations, corporations, small businesses and other stakeholders that share a common goal: preserving the valuable relationships between interstate highway motorists and community businesses serving their needs. Visit the Partnership to Save Highway Communities website here.
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