3/8/04-The Senate Transportation Committee defeated a bill (HB905) March 4 that would have enabled the state to toll all vehicles using Interstate 81. Current state law permits tolling of trucks only.

2/12/04-The House of Delegates passed legislation Feb. 10 that would enable the state to toll all vehicles using Interstate 81. Current state law permits tolling of trucks only.
House lawmakers passed the bill by a vote of 76-22. The measure now heads to the Senate.
HB905, sponsored by House Transportation Committee Chairman Leo Wardrup, R-Virginia Beach, is essential to one road-building consortium’s plan for widening the highway.
Without such legislation, the state cannot consider Fluor Virginia’s proposal to widen most of the interstate to six lanes under a public-private partnership law. Fluor’s $7 billion financing plan relies on tolls collected from all vehicles using the Virginia portion of the interstate.
A competing $13 billion proposal from Star Solutions would widen the interstate to eight lanes, separate car and truck traffic, and impose tolls on trucks only.
A Virginia Department of Transportation advisory panel is evaluating the I-81 widening proposals and will make a recommendation to the department.
For bill status, call (804) 698-1500. In Virginia, call 1-888-892-6948.

2/9/04-A House panel endorsed legislation that would enable the state to toll all vehicles using Interstate 81. Current state law permits tolling of trucks only.
The proposal is essential to one road-building consortium’s plan for widening the highway.
Without such legislation, the state cannot consider Fluor Virginia’s proposal to widen most of the interstate to six lanes under a public-private partnership law. Fluor’s $7 billion financing plan relies on tolls collected from all vehicles using the Virginia portion of the interstate.
A competing $13 billion proposal from Star Solutions would widen the interstate to eight lanes, separate car and truck traffic, and impose tolls on trucks only.
A Virginia Department of Transportation advisory panel is evaluating the I-81 widening proposals and will make a recommendation to the department.
HB905, sponsored by Delegate Leo Wardrup, R-Virginia Beach, cleared the House Transportation Committee Feb. 5 by a vote of 18-4. It now heads to the House floor for consideration.
For House bill status, call (804) 698-1500. In Virginia, call 1-888-892-6948.

1/26/04-A proposal in the House Transportation Committee would enable the state to toll all vehicles using Interstate 81. Current state law permits tolling of trucks.
The provision is critical to one road-building consortium’s plan for widening the highway.
Without such legislation, the state cannot consider Fluor Virginia’s proposal to widen most of the interstate to six lanes under a public-private partnership law. Fluor’s $7 billion financing plan relies on tolls collected from all vehicles using the Virginia portion of the interstate.
A competing $13 billion proposal from Star Solutions would widen the interstate to eight lanes, separate car and truck traffic, and impose tolls on trucks only. State lawmakers passed legislation in 2002 to permit tolling of trucks on I-81.
Under HB905, introduced Jan. 14 by Delegate Leo Wardrup, R-Virginia Beach, all I-81 vehicles would be subject to tolls.
A Virginia Transportation Department advisory panel is evaluating the I-81 widening proposals and will make a recommendation to the department.
For House bill status, call (804) 698-1500. In Virginia, call 1-888-892-6948.