4/16/02-The Virginia General Assembly has approved a resolution requesting a study on crashes involving trucks and other large vehicles. The study, to be conducted by Crash Investigation Team of Virginia Commonwealth University's Transportation Safety Training Center and the Virginia Transportation Research Council, will investigate why other motorists collide with trucks and other large vehicles stopped on the roadways and shoulders of highways. The study also will make recommendations as to how the frequency and severity of such crashes may be reduced.

4/9/02-Virginia Gov. Mark Warner signed legislation into law April 6 that will enable state officials to reach full fist into the pockets of truckdrivers using Interstate 81 while letting other motorists pass by unscathed. Warner signed HB1373 allowing tolls on trucks using I-81 to help pay for widening plans. The bill amends Virginia's Public-Private Transportation Act to permit tolls on trucks using the 325-mile stretch of road from Winchester to Bristol. Cars would travel the remaining toll-free lanes. The Commonwealth Transportation Board and the Federal Highway Administration must approve the widening plan and decide whether to impose tolls.

3-14-2002 - A Virginia bill that requires tractor-trailers to use toll-only lanes on Interstate 81 has passed the Senate and House. If HB1373 is signed by the governor, dedicated toll lanes will be set in place to help pay for widening of Interstate 81.

The Virginia Department of Transportation estimates widening the highway from four to six lanes would cost $3.4 billion and take about 30 years under its conventional pay-as-you-go financing. Construction company estimates indicate the highway could be widened to eight lanes from Bristol to the Winchester area, with two dedicated truck lanes in each direction, to be paid for by tolls, in half that time. Cars would travel in the remaining, toll-free lanes.

Gov. James Gilmore is reported to be supportive of the bill that will tap truckers' pockets to the tune of between 10 to 20 cents per mile along the 325-mile interstate.

The general number for Gov. Gilmore's office is: (804) 786-0000. Fax is: (804) 371-6351

3/5/02-Virginia lawmakers are considering a compromise bill to a proposal for truck toll lanes to help pay for widening of Interstate 81. The full Senate is expected to debate the bill soon.

The bill to widen the 325 miles of I-81 passed the Senate General Laws Committee Feb. 21. The compromise bill to HB1373 allows the Commonwealth Transportation Board to decide whether to impose tolls.

The Virginia Department of Transportation estimates widening the highway from four to six lanes would cost $3.4 billion and take about 30 years under its conventional pay-as-you-go financing. Construction company estimates indicate the highway could be widened to eight lanes from Bristol to the Winchester area, with two dedicated truck lanes in each direction, to be paid for by tolls, in half that time. Cars would travel in the remaining, toll-free lanes.

2/27/02 - Virginia Legislators have rejected a bid to require all drivers' licenses to include a thumbprint or other biometric identifier. SB62, introduced by Sen. John C. Watkins, passed the Senate earlier this month but has been killed in the House.

2/20/02 - A bill (SB352) introduced earlier this year in the state legislature would have set aside $3 million annually from fuel and other transportation taxes to help build a 70-mile highway stretching from Roanoke to the North Carolina border. The proposal was an initial step to help pay for the highway's estimated $1.2 billion price tag, but was rejected in the Senate transportation committee.

2/20/02 - SB178, a proposal to boost the state's fuels tax to help finance transportation projects, also has been rejected. The bill called for raising taxes on diesel fuel, gasoline and gasohol. It would have boosted the tax on diesel fuel from 16 cents per gallon to 18 cents. The tax on gasoline and gasohol would have risen from 17.5 cents to 22.5 cents.

2/20/02 - HJ23, requesting a study on crashes involving trucks and other large vehicles, passed the House and has been sent to the Senate rules committee. The general information number for the Senate is (804) 698-7410.

2/12/02-SB178 proposes boosting the state's fuels tax to help finance transportation projects. The bill, introduced by Sen. Kevin G. Miller (R-Harrisonburg), calls for raising taxes on diesel fuel, gasoline and gasohol. It would boost the tax on diesel fuel from 16 cents per gallon to 18 cents. The tax on gasoline and gasohol would rise from 17.5 cents to 22.5 cents. The bill has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee. The general information number for the Virginia Senate is (804) 698-7410.

2/12/02-HJ23 requests a study on crashes involving trucks and other large vehicles. The study would investigate why other motorists collide with trucks and other large vehicles stopped on the roadways and shoulders of highways. The study, to be conducted by Crash Investigation Team of Virginia Commonwealth University's Transportation Safety Training Center and the Virginia Transportation Research Council, would also make recommendations as to how the frequency and severity of such crashes may be reduced. The bill, introduced by Delegate Robert G. Marshall (R-Manasas), has been referred to the House rules committee. The general information number for the House is (804) 698-1500.

1/23/02 - A bill (SB352) introduced this month would set aside $3 million annually from fuel and other transportation taxes to help build a 70-mile highway. The highway would still need the approval of federal highway officials.

Interstate 73 remains a concept without any construction funds, but Sen. Roscoe Reynolds (D-Martinsville) is proposing an initial step to help pay for its estimated $1.2 billion price tag.

I-73 would run east of U.S. 220 from Roanoke to the North Carolina border, passing through Roanoke, Franklin and Henry counties. The Federal Highway Administration is expected to decide whether to approve the highway by next fall.

The bill is in the Senate transportation committee. To contact Sen. Reynolds, call (804) 698-7520.

7/31/01 - In June, Gov. Jim Gilmore approved HB2380, requiring all common carriers holding Virginia intrastate authority issued prior to July 2002 to reapply for their operating permits by Oct. 1, 2002, and to pay a $50 application fee. Thereafter, annual renewals of permits will be required, unless the Department of Motor Vehicles provides otherwise.