PETERSBURG, Va. (AP) - Congressman Ray Forbes says the federal government should reject a proposed toll plaza on Interstate 95 in Sussex County.
The Progress-Index (http://bit.ly/QgTvlR ) says Forbes sent a letter sent Monday to federal highways administrator Victor M. Mendez urging rejection of the proposal.
Forbes wrote that the proposed toll would dilute the economic benefit that Southside Virginia receives from I-95 and restrict access to the interstate. The Virginia Republican's 4th District includes the economically struggling region.
Seventeen local governments and regional government and economic development bodies in the region also oppose the toll proposal.
The state plans to use revenue from the tolls to finance upgrades to the interstate.
In response to Congressman Forbes' letter, Governor Bob McDonnell's office released the following statement:
"In 2006, Democrats and Republicans in the General Assembly voted, overwhelmingly, to toll I-95. Governor Tim Kaine signed the bill into law. In 2009, then-candidate Bob McDonnell ran on a specific proposal to implement that bipartisan decision. The fact is, tolling I-95 to generate much needed revenue for the I-95 corridor in central and southern Virginia has long had strong, bipartisan support. And it has been debated and discussed in depth.
At the same time, there is strong, bipartisan support for additional revenue to continue improving Virginia's transportation system, building upon last year's historic new investments. In fact, many of the same localities that say they oppose this toll just wrote this office asking for more revenue for transportation. They can't have it both ways. We agree we need additional revenue, and after years of talk now it is time to move forward.
Further, it must be noted, the toll rate will be only 2 cents per mile. That will be the lowest rate on the East Coast. Also, the toll is being placed in an area with a high proportion of out of state traffic.
This toll will allow Virginia to raise $1.5 billion for improvements over the next 25 years. And the toll revenue will be used only on this section of Virginia's I-95 corridor. In short, the money will be spent where it is raised. That revenue will greatly help the economies of localities in central and southern Virginia.
A modernized and safe I-95 will lead to more job-creation opportunities for the communities near it. It will help encourage economic growth and job creation."
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
