All 17 Commonwealth Transportation Board members voted in support of Governor Terry McAuliffe's plan to temporarily lower the tolls at the Downtown and Midtown tunnels during the new Midtown Tunnel's construction.
The plan will use leftover money from past projects, and will not affect any future road projects already planned.
Elizabeth River Crossings says they are prepared to accept any toll rate change, as long as it doesn’t change the terms of their contract.
Here's a breakdown of what the tolling will be:
Starting Feb 1 2014:
Off-peak hours - $.75 cents
Peak hours - $1.00
Starting Jan 1 2015:
Off-peak hours - $1.00
Peak hours - $1.25
Starting Jan 1 2016:
Off-peak hours - $1.25
Peak hours - $1.50
2017 - Tolls will revert back to original amounts in the ERT plan.
Off-peak hours - $1.59
Peak hours - $1.84
Officials consider peak times 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. That accounts for eight hours of your day.
Trucks will get a break as well. They will be tolled at three times the two axle rate in off-peak hours and four times the axle rate during peak hours.
It will cost more than 82.5 million dollars to buy down the rates over the next three years. Secretary of Transportation, Aubrey Layne, says they will use $57.2 million dollars of left over transportation funds and $25.3 million dollars in extra bond revenue.
Related:
Governor McAuliffe wants temporary 75 cent toll at Downtown, Midtown Tunnels
Gov. McAuliffe: Midtown/Downtown Tunnel tolls ‘too high’
VDOT, DMV workers won’t pay tolls, while first responders, school buses will
VDOT estimates 65,000 people still need to get EZ-Pass for tunnel tolls
VDOT suggests E-ZPass for tunnel tolls
Supreme Court rules in favor of Downtown, Midtown Tunnel tolls
Fight over tunnel tolls goes to Virginia Supreme Court
State says tunnel tolls could still go into effect despite judge’s decision
Judge rules against tunnel tolls
Group fighting against tunnel tolls headed to court
The future of tunnel tolls in Hampton Roads
Work begins at Downtown and Midtown Tunnels to install tolls
Governor-Elect to announce new tunnel toll relief plan after inauguration
More bus, ferry service planned for Midtown and Downtown Tunnels
