Virginia Moves to Toll Interstate 95 at N.C. Border

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has submitted an application to the Federal Highway Administration to put tolls along Interstate 95 near the North Carolina border.

The Virginia Department of Transportation expects the move to generate between $30 to $60 million a year, if tolls are $1 to $2 per axle. All revenues generated through tolling will be used solely for I-95.

The news comes on the heels of three Pennsylvania legislators proposing tolls on I-95 in the Philadelphia area as a way to address the state's transportation funding crisis.

"After a careful review of the Commonwealth's transportation needs, I believe the ability to toll Interstate 95 at the border will quickly enable the Commonwealth to begin addressing some of our greatest areas of concern," said McDonnell. "Such user fees will help the Commonwealth generate the revenue necessary to make much needed infrastructure and safety improvements in the I-95 corridor to better serve the traveling public and increase economic productivity."

Virginia currently has approval to toll I-81 under the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program and is requesting to switch that authority to I-95.

According to a statement by McDonnell, revenues will initially be used for a number of safety improvements along I-95, and then making improvements to the pavement conditions and infrastructure. Once these improvements are made, the state will begin making capacity improvements where needed.