Virginia Receives Preliminary Approval to Toll Interstate 95

Virginia has been given preliminary approval from the Federal Highway Administration to toll Interstate 95 at the border with North Carolina. The new toll is expected to generate $50 million annually - funds that would be used for road improvements along the 700-mile corridor. 

FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez gave the approval in a Sept. 14 letter. The Toll could be up and running within 18 months, according to the Washington Post. 

“I-95 is one of the most important and heavily traveled highway corridors in the country, linking population and commercial centers up and down the East Coast," said Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell in a statement. "Limited funds and growing capital and maintenance needs have led to deficient pavements and structures, congestion, higher crash density and safety concerns. This approval is a major step toward funding critical capacity and infrastructure improvements needed in this corridor. The Commonwealth cannot continue to be a leader in economic development and job creation if we do not address our transportation needs. Earlier this year, the General Assembly passed my transportation plan setting the framework for investing $4 billion in our transportation network over the next three years. The ability to toll I-95 will help leverage this investment by funding transportation improvements in this vital corridor.”

Virginia Transportation Secretary Sean Connaughton submitted a proposal to the FHWA on the toll last year. “The entire I-95 corridor averages a level of service of ‘D’ and some more urban portions are ‘F’ during peak periods,” he said. “This level of service is unacceptable anywhere, let alone on the most traveled corridor in Virginia. The ability to implement tolling will provide the revenues necessary to improve I-95.”

The Virginia Department of Transportation “will work closely with FHWA to complete the steps outline by Administrator Mendez, as well as any necessary environmental documents,” said VDOT Commissioner Greg Whirley. “Our goal is to complete these steps as quickly as possible so we can develop and implement a satisfactory toll agreement with the FHWA.”