Virginia highway toll - first of many?

In the US state of Virginia, the Governor Robert McDonnell is suggesting a new toll on Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs.
February 24, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
RSSIn the US state of Virginia, the Governor Robert McDonnell is suggesting a new toll on Interstate 95 to help pay for road repairs. The highway officials are currently considering the construction of a single toll facility at the North Caroline border. A US$2-4 toll for each user could raise $30-60 million/year. However, it is likely to be 18-24 months before toll collection begins if the proposal is approved. McDonnell has appealed to US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to give approval. The move is of note as the rules regarding the implementation of tolls on Interstate highways have been changed recently. The latest rules make it easier for state authorities to consider tolling as a means to pay for highway maintenance and repairs. Texas and Florida are amongst those US states already taking a pro-active approach to tolling and other states seem likely to follow. Industry organisations such as the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) have been suggesting increased use of tolling on the Interstate network for some time. With rises in fuel taxation ruled out due to political sensitivity, tolling is seen as the most effective way of ensuring US highways receive the funds required for maintenance, repairs and improvements. This appeal for a toll may well the first in a series of highway tolling moves in the US to help pay for the huge and growing backlog of repairs and also help tackle increasing congestion in certain areas.
Highway & Network Management

Related Content

  • ARTBA requests US president to invest in transportation
    March 5, 2012
    US president Barack Obama has received a highly critical open letter from Pete Ruane, president of the US-based American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The letter questions the lack of progress in the delivery of a long-term surface transportation bill by the US Government. This bill is now 15 months behind schedule, which has resulted in a knock-on effect for the already struggling US construction sector.
    Read More
  • 32 firms respond to VDoT RFI to enhance TOCs
    April 20, 2012
    Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has announced that 32 firms submitted responses to the Virginia Department of Transportation’s (VDoT) Request for Information regarding the operation and integration of the state's transportation operations centres (TOCs). VDoT operates five TOCs across the commonwealth that monitor traffic conditions via cameras and other technology, providing traveller information on road conditions and coordinating congestion management and incident response. “I am extremely pleased wit
    Read More
  • East End Crossing Project—Availability payment P3 in action
    July 14, 2017
    Indiana exercised its authority to use a P3 contract when it partnered with Kentucky for new bridges across the Ohio River. Barney Allison and John Smolen* explain the groundbreaking availability payment deal. Earlier this year, traffic began rolling over the new tolled Lewis and Clark Bridge spanning the Ohio River from northern Kentucky to southern Indiana. The cable-stayed bridge is part of the award-winning Ohio Bridges Project to untangle traffic within the greater metropolitan area of Louisville, Kent
    Read More
  • US infrastructure spending to benefit from state initiatives
    November 17, 2020
    US infrastructure spending looks set to benefit from state initiatives.
    Read More

Highlighted Content