HAMPTON ROADS, Va. — Many drivers have reached out to News 3 to voice concerns about the fluctuating tolls for the new HOV express lanes between Chesapeake and Norfolk on I-64.
VDOT says it uses "dynamic tolling" in the express lanes, meaning toll costs vary based on real-time traffic conditions. Toll prices adjust every five minutes, increasing when congestion rises and decreasing when fewer cars are in the express lanes.
Solo drivers were able to use the HOV express lanes for free during a trial period, which ended on March 17. Now, drivers with no passengers who opt to use the express lanes over the free general-purpose lanes must pay a toll.
Now, a few weeks into the implementation of tolls, people are voicing concerns about the price hike during peak hours. Some drivers say they've paid as much as $11, calling the spike in tolls a highway robbery.
"I honestly thought it may have been a typo," was Lisa Bracey's reaction when she saw the cost of the toll.
Bracey previously had no problem spending money to take express lanes for her commute to work. However, she's struggling to justify - and understand - the I-64 express lanes toll pricing.
"$8.90 to go one way on the interchangeable express lanes is ridiculous and especially because it's not even fluctuating to some normal degree," said Bracey. "It's going from $0.50, $5, $0.90, $8."
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Some people who reached out to us question if it's worth the cost, especially those driving along the Bowers Hill interchange to the I-264 interchange on I-64 between Chesapeake and Norfolk. That's part of the road highlighted in purple below.
News 3's Kelsey Jones spoke with VDOT leaders to learn more about the tolls. They told her the tolls were implemented to encourage use of HOV lanes.
"The goal of the express lanes is designed to move more people through the corridor, and that helps to incentivize the HOV travel," said Nina Ullrich, a Senior Communications Specialist with VDOT.
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VDOT leaders say they hope the flex rate will prevent congestion in the express lanes. The higher rates are aimed at reducing the volume of cars on the road when it starts to get busy, and vice versa, VDOT says.
VDOT told Kelsey there's not a tolling cap in place.
The toll revenue stays in Hampton Roads, according to VDOT. They said it will go towards building and maintaining roads in the region.
While some drivers are frustrated about the varying toll prices, others tell us the benefits outweigh the fluctuating costs.
"It's been a whole lot better since they put in the extra lane," said Wayne Kennedy.
If you're in the car alone, you can use your E-ZPass to pay the tolls. If you're traveling with another person and switch your E-ZPass Flex transponder to HOV-On, it's free.
