
Sen. Black, Del. LaRock Introduce Northern Virginia Toll Relief Legislation
For Immediate Release – January
18, 2018
Contact: Daniel Davies (540) 751-8364 or info@votelarock.us
Hamilton, VA – Senator Richard Black
and Delegate Dave LaRock, both of Loudoun County, today announced filing of legislation
which would provide desperately-needed toll relief in Northern Virginia. If
successful, HB 1489 and SB 898 will reduce tolls on Interstate 66 Inside the Beltway
(ITB) and the Dulles Toll Road (DTR) by:
- Returning the I-66 ITB tolling period to previous HOV hours (Eastbound 6:30–9:00 a.m., Westbound 4:00–6:30 p.m.) until I-66 ITB Eastbound widening project opens (Fall 2020)
- Activating tolling of reverse commuters on I-66 ITB with revenues to go into the I-66 Commuter Choice program (the NVTC program currently managing I-66 ITB revenue)
- Refunding I-66 ITB tolls exceeding $200/month until new I-66 ITB Eastbound lane opens
- Instructing VDOT to form and execute a plan to convert the Dulles Access Road into tolled HOT lanes, with revenue going to buy down tolls on the Dulles Toll Road (DTR)
- Directing that the DTR shall become toll-free by 2030, finally fulfilling a long-standing expectation
Delegate LaRock said, “Northern
Virginia was already one of the highest-tolled regions in America – now, commuters
driving the 36 miles from Leesburg to Washington, DC during peak times travel
on three distinct toll roads, paying as much as $53 one-way. My constituents
call this ‘Highway Robbery,’ and I agree. Tolls this high hurt families, hinder
economic growth, and are just unacceptable.”
Senator Black also pointed to recent
problems with the tolling system, stating "It’s ironic that the I-66
tolling equipment failed so spectacularly and so quickly. People entering the
toll road did so without knowing that the trip would cost $39. These tolls are
among the highest in the nation. The new tolling system is not off to a good
start."
Delegate Tim Hugo, vice chairman of the
House Transportation committee, added his support for the bill saying, “It is
essential that we do everything we can to provide relief for commuters; these
tolls are way too high.”
Former Delegate Rich Anderson also supports this effort, stating
that “I represented a Prince William district in the House that arcs between
I-95 in the east and I-66 in the west. This is my home and this tolling hurts
the community I love dearly. I’m keenly aware that the stratospheric and
unprecedented tolls on I-66 completely disregards the will of the people, many
of whom are rightfully outraged. I urge my colleagues in the Virginia General
Assembly to send to the new governor a slate of proposals that reduces these
extravagant tolls to levels that can be afforded by the working families of
Virginia.”
Loudoun County Supervisor Ron Meyer said, "We need to make
transit a better option, but instead, these tolls simply price people out of
their cars and out of employment opportunities. This bill should have strong
bipartisan support."
These Virginia legislators are among nine who signed a letter to Gov.McAuliffe in December, requesting relief on Northern Virginia tolls. More
information is available at http://www.votelarock.us/issues/toll_relief