Tolls, Not Gas and Sales Taxes, Will Fund I-81 Improvements in Virginia

"The plan, to be introduced in the Virginia General Assembly session that starts Wednesday [Jan. 9], would establish tolls as a source of revenue for 'critical improvements' identified in a state study [pdf] of the route that...suffers from major safety and reliability problems," reports Luz Lazo for The Washington Post. 

With the proposal, Northam and lawmakers representing the western part of the state are choosing to push a toll system over establishing a regional gas tax [and sales and use tax] to pay for the I-81 improvements and in doing so declaring broader support for expanding the state’s toll network.

"It’s time we take decisive action to enhance the safety and improve the reliability of this key corridor,” Northam said in announcing the proposal, which he said would be introduced by state Sens. Mark D. Obenshain (R-Harrisonburg) and Charles W. Carrico Sr. (R-Grayson) and Dels. R. Steven Landes (R-Augusta) and Terry L. Austin (R-Botetourt).

Variable tolls, but not congestion nor dynamically priced

"Electronic toll gantries are expected to be set every 40 to 60 miles or so along I-81, with regular rates set at up to 11 cents a mile for cars and 17 cents a mile for trucks," reports Max Smith for WTOP News.

That would equate to about $55 for trucks to travel the length of I-81 during daylight hours. Tolls would be discounted overnight to encourage truck drivers and others to travel at less-busy times, but the tolls would be a fixed price, unlike the variable cost of lanes on interstates 66, 95 and 495.

Frequent travelers who are Virginia residents could significantly reduce their I-81 toll charges by opting to purchase an unlimited use pass, potentially $30 per year.

Smith adds that high occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and truck-only toll lanes, as Rhode Island is doing, were considered as well. Truck traffic is expected to outpace growth of passenger vehicle traffic on the corridor.

What about authorization from Federal Highway Administration?

Last month, Oregon transportation officials submitted an application to the Federal Highway Authority (FHWA) under the Value Pricing Pilot Program to toll all lanes on stretches of two Portland interstate highways. This correspondent was unable to determine if the I-81 Corridor Improvement Plan requires the Virginia Department of Transportation to apply for an exception to the Title 23 of the United States Code (Highways) general prohibition on the imposition of tolls on Federal-aid highways.

According to FHWA's Center for Innovative Finance Support, the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program "allows up to three existing Interstate facilities (highway, bridge, or tunnel) to be tolled to fund needed reconstruction or rehabilitation on Interstate corridors that could not otherwise be adequately maintained or functionally improved without the collection of tolls."

Other revenue options not ruled out

“Everything is on the table right now," Gov. Northam told Jeff Sturgeon of The Roanoke Times on Tuesday. "I would say the consensus is to go more with tolls than taxes,” the governor said.