I-95

Both the Virginia Senate and House have approved their transportation bills, which now move into a conference committee as the two groups work to hash out differences between the plans before the General Assembly’s session ends on Feb. 23.

Transportation legislation involving tolls on Interstate 95 (I-95) is moving fast in the Virginia General Assembly. There are several pieces of legislation under consideration with anti-tolling language that would give the Virginia General Assembly the final approval in the tolling of existing interstates.

A bipartisan group of Virginia lawmakers have joined together with local officials and business leaders to speak out against tolls on Interstate 95 in Virginia. Republicans and Democrats stood shoulder to shoulder and called for the General Assembly and not the Department of Transportation or Gov. Bob McDonnell to determine whether to put tolls on Interstate 95 and other existing highways.

Virginia residents are continuing to voice their opposition to tolls on I-95, speaking out at public hearings, signing petitions and taking legal action. At least eight cities and towns have hired an attorney in their fight against the proposal, which they said would be a detrimental economic project. Despite opposition from local governments and citizens, Gov. Bob McDonnell continues to pursue his tolling plan, which would place a toll on Interstate 95 south of Richmond. The Virginia legislature begins its next session this week, so lawmakers and citizens will need to keep up the fight in state’s general assembly.

Last week, hundreds of Virginians rallied together to show their opposition to tolls on I-95 at a Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) public presentation in Sussex County that nearly filled the 700-seat auditorium at Sussex County Central High School. Prior to the rally, VDOT announced a reduced toll plan for locals, which was rejected by the tolling opponents.