OOIDA Call to Action - Virginia Members
April 11, 2006

Attention: VIRGINIA TRUCKERS! The Virginia Department of Transportation is holding hearings on improvements to Interstate 81. If at all possible, we encourage you to attend the hearings, send e-mails or write letters to VDOT to let them know your thoughts on possible options.

Six public hearings are scheduled beginning today in Roanoke and Wytheville and ending Wednesday, April 19, in Bridgewater. The public meetings are part of a federal process and a forum for people to speak their minds on the different proposals.

Virginia lawmakers have already laid the groundwork for funding mechanisms that include tolling. Some of the ideas floating around include a proposal for truck-only tolling lanes. 

As usual, it seems they are planning to have truckers foot most of the road bill. The truck-only tolls have been estimated at 37 cents per mile. To drive the 325-mile route in Virginia would cost truck drivers more than $120.

Hearings are scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. EDT at the following locations and include presentations and videos in addition to testimony by the public:

• Tuesday, April 11, Roanoke Wyndham Hotel, 2801 Hershberger Road, Roanoke.
• Tuesday, April 11, Wytheville Community College, 1000 E. Main St., Wytheville.
• Wednesday, April 12, Bristol Holiday Inn & Conference Center, 3005 Linden Drive, Bristol.
• Monday, April 17, Natural Bridge Hotel & Conference Center, 15 Appledore Lane, Natural Bridge.
• Tuesday, April 18, Winchester Travel Lodge, 160 Front Royal Pike, Winchester.
• Wednesday, April 19, Turner Ashby High School, 800 N. Main St., Bridgewater.

The public can view exhibit items from 1 to 4 p.m. EDT prior to each meeting, with the exception of April 19. The exhibit can be viewed on that day from 1 to 4 p.m. EDT at a VDOT regional office, 3536 N. Valley Pike, Harrisonburg, VA.

If you cannot make the hearings we STRONGLY ENCOURAGE you to e-mail your comments to 81info@VirginiaDOT.org or by filling out the online comment form at www.I-81.org.

Mailed comments can be directed to:

Christopher Collins, project manager
VDOT Environmental Division
1401 E. Broad St., Richmond, VA, 23219.

The deadline for submitting comments is Saturday, April 29.

IF YOU DO NOT WANT HIGH TOLLS ALONG I-81, YOU MUST MAKE YOUR VIEWS HEARD!

Please do not hesitate to contact OOIDA at 1-800-444-5791 with any questions.