3/14/06-Sen. Marty Williams, R-Newport News, killed his own bill that sought to set up a regional bridge authority with the power to levy tolls to pay for roadwork and upgrades on all major bridges and tunnels in Hampton Roads.
SB192 passed the Senate and the House Transportation Committee by wide margins but once it reached the House floor the Republican majority removed the tolling authority.
In response to the change, Williams tossed out the modified effort.

2/13/06-The Senate unanimously approved a bill Feb. 13 that would charge fees on all major bridges in Hampton Roads.
SB192, sponsored by Sen. Marty Williams, R-Newport News, would set up a regional bridge authority with the power to levy tolls to pay for roadwork and upgrades on existing bridges and to build a third crossing to connect the Peninsula with South Hampton Roads.
The bill would create the Hampton Roads Bridge Authority, an independent state board with power to place or raise tolls on six major bridges and tunnels in the region: the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel, the Monitor-Merrimac Memorial Bridge-Tunnel, the Downtown and Midtown tunnels, and the James River and Coleman bridges.
The revenue would pay for improvements to those bridges, aimed at reducing traffic congestion either through widening lanes or adding additional tunnels on the most heavily used water crossings in the region.
For Senate bill status, call (804) 698-7410. In Virginia, call 1-888-892-6948.