Bay Bridge-Tunnel Moves Toward Higher Toll, Expansion | Hamptonroads.Com | Pilotonline.Com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

81° forecast THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT SEARCH THE SITE LOG IN EPILOT SUBSCRIPTIONS ADVERTISING PILOT STORE MORE SIGN UP

MARKETPLACE CLASSIFIEDS DEALS SEARCH LOCAL JOBS AUTOS HOMES SHOPPING COUPONS RENTALS LEGALS

NEWS OPINION BUSINESS MILITARY SPORTS WEATHER TRAFFIC OBITS HAMPTONROADS.COM ENTERTAINMENT LIFE MORE

HOME » NEWS » TRAFFIC - TRANSPORTATION Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion

Posted to: News Tolls Traffic - Transportation Virginia Beach Login or register to post comments

By Dave Forster The Virginian-Pilot © May 30, 2013 VIRGINIA BEACH The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel would cost $3 more to cross on weekends in the summer under a proposal to accelerate expansion of the 17.6-mile span. The commission that oversees the crossing will present those and other tolling changes to the 1 OF 2 PHOTOS: The Chesapeake Bay Bridge public at meetings in June before a final vote in Tunnel, shown in a 2000 file photo. (Steve Earley | July on whether to approve the increases, which Virginian-Pilot file photo) would take effect in 2014. The plan includes toll View second photo | Buy Pilot photos increases every five years thereafter. TRAFFIC CAMERAS The fee change is part of a financing plan to build a Live views of highways, tunnels second Thimble Shoal Tunnel – one of two spots and bridges around Hampton Roads on the bay crossing where traffic from its dual bridges converges and dips into a mile-long tube Daily Deal | | Promote your business under water. TOLL HEARINGS Travel in the tunnels is reduced to one lane in each Public information sessions on the proposed toll changes are tentatively set to run from 5 to 7 p.m. direction. The parallel Thimble Shoal tunnel would June 20 at Shore Financial headquarters in Onley, allow traffic there to continue in two lanes in each June 24 at Northampton High School in Eastville, direction and provide a backup in case one of the June 26 at Lake Wright Sleep Inn in Virginia Beach, and July 1 at Hampton City Hall. tubes is closed.

GOING THERE The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel is not plagued Under the new proposal, vehicles traveling Fridays by the same daily congestion as Hampton Roads’ to Sundays, from May 15 to Sept. 15, would pay the other bridges and tunnels. Traffic-wise for “peak” toll rate of $15, a $3 increase. motorists, “there’s not any hurry” for an expansion, COMING BACK said Aubrey Layne, chairman of the bridge-tunnel’s The 24-hour return toll on those peak trips would be governing commission. reduced to $3 from $5, resulting in a net increase of $1 to the cost for day-trippers or commuters. “We are not building it because of traffic relief,” he said. RELATED The biggest need is to provide an alternative route Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel to offer big discount - Feb. 13 and keep the link to the Eastern Shore open, Layne said. In a resolution endorsing the toll proposal, the commission said the tunnel POLL expansion is necessary if the Thimble Shoal Should Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel rates be Tunnel closes because of a catastrophe, accident, raised by $3 on summer weekends to hasten the

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 1 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

span's expansion? or mechanical failure or maintenance of the Local internet marketing by PaperG structure, which turns 50 next year. Yes

No Construction of a parallel tunnel or bridge at the TOOLBOX Not sure crossing’s other underwater section – the Chesapeake Channel Tunnel – is projected to Print Vote happen around 2040, though that is subject to Email Related: Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel could see many variables, said Jeff Holland, the bridge-tunnel higher seasonal tolls district’s executive director, by email. View results | Vote in more polls Layne said it was more important to complete the SAVE & SHARE Thimble Shoal expansion first because that is where cargo ships cross to get into the port of Delicious Hampton Roads. Digg With the widening of the Panama Canal to be completed soon, larger ships are expected to call Reddit

on Hampton Roads in the coming years, and Facebook Layne said he wanted construction at Thimble Shoal largely done before that increase in shipping Twitter activity takes hold. Google Motorists beginning their Memorial Day weekend on Friday encountered 3- to 5-mile backups on the Yahoo span after a two-vehicle accident in the Chesapeake Channel Tunnel stopped traffic for an hour and led to alternating lane closures, according to a summary of the incident relayed by Holland. A disabled vehicle near the Thimble Shoal Tunnel added to the backups. The bridge-tunnel commission cited driver safety as another reason for expansion. There have been 24 head-on collisions in the tunnels, including three with fatalities, since 1996, the earliest the bridgetunnel district has location data on accidents, according to Tom Anderson, the district’s director of finance. Design and construction of the tunnel is estimated to cost $839 million with a federal loan, according to a financial analysis by The PFM Group. Construction would take 3½ years and could begin as early as July 2016, the analysis said. Commissioners point to the relatively low interest rates available on the funds they’d borrow to build the project as another reason to act now. Drivers of passenger vehicles, pickups and motorcycles currently pay $12 to cross. Return trips within 24 hours are $5. Under the proposal, the commission would create a “peak” toll rate of $15 for those vehicles on Fridays to Sundays, from May 15 to Sept. 15. The 24-hour return toll on those peak trips would be reduced to $3, resulting in a net increase of $1 to the cost for day-trippers or commuters. Nonpeak tolls would be $13 for passenger vehicles and $5 for a 24-hour return trip. The toll on trucks with five axles would increase to $39 per trip, from $35. The changes also propose creating a discounted return rate for two-axle, four-tire vehicles pulling a trailer. That would result in a lower two-way charge for those users if they crossed back and forth in less than 24 hours, and a higher one if not. Overall, the toll schedule changes would equate to about a 10 percent increase in the average crossing fee, according to the bridge-tunnel authority. The proposal calls for a 10 percent average increase every five years thereafter to continue paying for the expansion.

The bridge-tunnel commission is a governor-appointed board that is independent of the state highway department. Its last toll hike, in 2004, included a $2 increase for passenger vehicles and a $5 increase for trucks with five axles. A new commuter rate that is set to start next year for E-ZPass users would not be affected by the proposed changes. That deal will allow people who make 30 one-way trips per month to pay $5 per trip. Dave Forster, 757-446-2627, [email protected]

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 2 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

COMMENTS ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here; comments do not reflect the views Find. Do. of The Virginian-Pilot or its websites. Users must follow agreed-upon rules: Be civil, be clean, be on topic; don't Tag. Share. attack private individuals, other users or classes of people. Read the full rules here. - Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the report violation link below it. what where FIND [-] Hide Comments Popular Searches NO ! Submitted by zee61 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:03 pm. NO MORE TOLLS !! PERIOD !!!

Login to your account to post comments report violation hide all comments from this user 2 or 3 Business Development Coordinator Chesapeake, Virginia Priority Automotive Group SEE ABOVE. Parts Counter Sales Person Submitted by SamD on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:42 pm. Chesapeake, VA VIRGINIA TRUCK CENTER It's the only toll that should be charged in Southeast Virginia. Body Shop Estimator Login to your account to post comments report violation hide all comments from this user Virginia Beach, Virginia Charles Barker 4 or 0 Automotive Group

More jobs DON'T GET EXCITED Submitted by quiturcryin on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 2:19 pm. You can always drive around it.

SOOO Submitted by richard1949 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 5:17 pm. So how to pay for this??? If it was public we could simple raise taxes on everyone, we know how we all love taxes. I beleive this is a simi-private bridge so like any good business you charge the customer more when you want to take in more money.

BRING THE FERRIES BACK Submitted by seaside on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 10:33 pm. It's funny how a few years ago the toll was raised to fund new second tunnels from 12 dollars to 17 dollars. I wonder where all that money went? A lot of it was mine. Now they want more. No surprises there. In a few more years they will be back again for more. I say bring the ferries back. New faster ones like they use in Europe. A fleet of six, and you can rest and socialize, no head on collisions in the tunnel either.

OH YEAH, MO MONEY.... Submitted by Backdot on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:11 pm. Here we go again, let's not just stick it to Portsmouth residents, lets Fleece those coming from or to the Eastern Shore as well. They have already admitted that there is no traffic problem and no rush, which means the only priority here is the money grab while the getting is good...

CCBT IS NOT A STATE OWNED ROAD. Submitted by SamD on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:41 pm. Remember that the CBBT is not a public road. The bridge tunnel complex has been built and

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 3 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

maintained off of the tolls it cahrges.

YOU ARE RIGHT, ITS A MONEY Submitted by tworkman on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:56 pm. You are right, its a money grab

COMMENT DELETED Submitted by admin (staffer) on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:56 pm. Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Post continued, repeated

HIGHER TOLLS TO GET TO AND FROM THE EASTERN SHORE Submitted by margaretw94423 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:22 pm. Hasn't anyone ever heard of the Law of Diminishing Returns?

A QUESTION AND A COMMENT Submitted by td84719 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:27 pm. Question: WHY???

Comment: Lots of folks on the Eastern Shore, so I've heard, want high tolls on this facility because they don't want traffic or development.

WHY IN THE WORLD, AS NICE AS Submitted by JusGetAlong on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 2:00 pm. Why in the world, as nice as it is over there, would we want the development and congestion of Hampton Roads. No thanks. We live on the shore for a reason, no people, no cars, no strip malls and lots of quiet. We don't want to look like OBX either.

I DON'T BLAME YOU! Submitted by td84719 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 2:24 pm. My comment was not a criticism. The "Why?" was all about why would they do this project? There is just no need.

THE PILOT JUST REPORTED THAT Submitted by JusGetAlong on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:40 pm. The pilot just reported that in Jan 14 the commuter rate for the bridge would go down.

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 4 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

I SWEAR..... Submitted by passionatelee on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 1:59 pm. PLEASE CALL ME!! HR Department from another state!! This is like a game of "Escape Hampton Roads". Every time you look up, there is another scheme to Toll a road. THERE IS NO NEED for additional capacity on the CCBT. I've been on that length of road/tunnel/bridge at all times of day/night. There is RARELY enough traffic to actually slow down enough to do less than the speed limit! Tired of this place....resume's are out. Just waiting on calls.

SEE YA Submitted by aalto on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 2:42 pm. The CCBT has always been a toll road, this is not a scheme to toll another road. If you don't like the toll, don't travel across the CCBT. Go around.

CORRECT! Submitted by beachbill on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 6:33 pm. ...and I believe the CBBT is also self-funded (maybe?)? Also remember that the toll has not been changed since 2004 - nine years! Has anyone not expected a raise after 9 years? Just asking. Besides, this toll increase would fund the new tunnel.

I think the CBBT has it right. With I-95 (and the tolls between the Del Mem Bridge and DC - PLUS traffic between DC and Richmond - the people who travel this road most - out-of-state tourists - will opt for the CBBT. In my mind, the CBBT will STILL be a better option for some when compared to I-95, etc.

I HOPE TOLLS CONTINUE TO OTHER ROADS AND BRIDGES Submitted by davidc29058 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 2:12 pm. I have been writing my representatives to ask that additional roads, bridges, and tunnels be tolled. Why should hard working taxpayers be asked to subsidize infrastructure we don't use? Those who use it should pay for it. Don't want to pay for it then don't use it. I wish all government worked this way - you only pay for the services you use. Freeloaders need to get over it and realize they need to pay for what they use. Don't like it - then leave. No one is forcing you to stay here. Go to some other state with a bloated government and let us shrink ours. We finally have leadership in Richmond, I hope they don't falter. We've been Taxed Enough Already.

FINE Submitted by Sullytown on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 2:26 pm. I propose a toll at the entrance of your driveway. I don't hear any complaints from you free loading on the roads that lead to your house and place of employment. Oh that's right those just magically funded themselves. This project is quite different than the foreign hijacking of the Mid-Town and Downtown tunnel. This bridge/tunnel has been privately funded since it's inception.

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 5 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

HOW WOULD YOU PAY FOR FIRE AND POLICE PROTECTION Submitted by vbbum on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 2:57 pm. How about the medical services, or maybe restaurant inspections. There are a lot of government services you use that other people dont. Using your logic why should they subdivide your life style.

DAVID Submitted by JCB on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 5:06 pm. Thank you for being the only person in the area paying taxes. It is nice of you to pay for all of these roads to I can be a free loader. You are the U in community. Now if I could just figure out where all that money from my pay check is going too.

YOU HAVE Submitted by jld30182 on Fri, 05/31/2013 at 10:30 am. some valid points. Folks who use the bridges/roads/tunnels should pay for them. That is pretty much how it is in other states. Up North and in Texas also. I have a friend in the Dallas area who pays around $200 a month in tolls on his easy pass. I can see your post is not popular, although it does seem fair.

A $1 INCREASE ON A ROUND Submitted by kb1800 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 2:25 pm. A $1 increase on a round trip toll. And people are upset? Get over it. And if you dont like it, go around. Sit in the DC traffic. Makes my travels easier.

A THOUGHT Submitted by i just wanted t... on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 4:20 pm. --you could go by RT 17 ,--then across on 50, skipping DC and still have a pleasant ride.--if you're not in a hurry.--been there done that.

YOU FORGOT... Submitted by beachbill on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 6:21 pm. ...301 between Fort AP Hill and Port Royal to either the Beltway (ugh!) or US-50.

IT IS... Submitted by beachbill on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 6:22 pm. ...a MUCH nicer ride, if you're not in a rush.

AMEN, KB... Submitted by beachbill on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 6:35 pm. Amen!! http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 6 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

LET THEM DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO! Submitted by Monica Monique on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 3:59 pm. I've been riding across the CBBT all my life and do so at-least twice a year; my family even more throughout the year. That is the best route to Philly, New Jersey, and New York from Virginia Beach. I can remember when it was one lane each way on the bridge and in the tunnel. Many of us were very relieved when the bridges were turned into two lanes each way, rather than travelling against traffic each way. About 25 years ago, a small car went underneath a long distance truck. The bridge was backed for hours; we had to wait. A nightingale had to come to the rescue. It was a very scary situation. So, whatever they have to do to make the CBBT safer is fine with me. BTW, I will be travelling up the Eastern Shore this weekend for Ocean City!

AGREE. LONG TERM PLANNING Submitted by Mustang 5.0 on Fri, 05/31/2013 at 12:34 am. Agree. Long term planning is part of any business. I pay the toll when I go up to the shore. Part of using the structure.

HRBT TOLLS Submitted by Aroberts3016 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 5:29 pm. I do understand the desire of some to find new funding for our outdated transportation system. However, the solution here would be worse than the problem itself. Anyone who drives the HRBT during peak hours, summer as well as the rest of the year, knows the frustration and utter helplessness of the traffic situation. To impose a toll on that situation is ludicrous. Anyone not having to cross the HRBT would seek another route out of self preservation. I have heard the idea of fast tolls, the automated kind you buy and attach to your car. Great idea in concept. Where these work successfully, there are multiple lanes. Not so at HRBT. The cars without the fast pass will cross where? The same lines as others? Any sane person think that will work?! If th

GREAT COMMENT Submitted by bfoster35 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 5:54 pm. The story is about the CBBT not the HRBT. The CBBT has been tolled since it was built.

I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT... Submitted by beachbill on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 6:25 pm. ...not putting a toll on the HRBT, but... as late as the '70's (or even later), the HRBT, and the Midtown tunnel BOTH had tolls - as did I-264 in VB (when it was "44").

COMMENT DELETED Submitted by admin (staffer) on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 5:30 pm. Comment removed for rules violation. Reason: Post continued, repeated

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 7 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

RIGHT! LET'S SPEND $839MIL Submitted by keithh41833 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 5:59 pm. Right! Let's spend $839MIL for a bridge tunnel that rarely backs up vice spending it on the HRBT where traffic backs up both ways between 6-8 miles or better almost every day. Yeah... what was I thinking? Heaven forbid money is spent to reduce gridlock. While you're at it, how about adding a carnival ride? 5 or 6 people may want to take the light rail from Chincoteague to Newtown Road.

NOT POSSIBLE Submitted by aalto on Fri, 05/31/2013 at 6:48 am. The funding for the CCBT is obtained solely from the tolls. No tax funding is associated. So the money collected by the tolls cannot be used to expand the HRBT.

NO LOGIC! Submitted by joes73980 on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 6:52 pm. You gotta love the geniuses that come up with these ideas. Spend $800M to build another tunnel on a bridge with minimal traffic. Its a lot like spending millions to expand Rt. 460. Put the money where it is needed. HRBT, I64, etc. Do we need to send them a list?

IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE Submitted by spoonz on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 8:14 pm. the CBBT is not part of VDOT, it is completely self funded through tolls. Therefore, the commission can do whatever it sees fit. Since a closure of one its tunnels would cause the whole span to shut down, it makes sense to build another tunnel when the funding is in place.

MAYBE THE CBBT COMM SHOULD MAINTAIN ALL OUR TUNNELS Submitted by RLS on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 9:03 pm. Maybe the CBBT Commission should be given ALL our tunnels and bridges to build and maintain. Remember one reason they put the second trestle in was because their bonds were being paid off and they wanted to keep the toll on the CBBT so they could dissuade Southsiders from making the "Shore" a suburb of Va. Beach.

SPECTACULARLY UNNECESSARY Submitted by xptown on Thu, 05/30/2013 at 10:05 pm. This is probably the only road in Virginia that has zero traffic delays on it. Expanding it is spectacularly unnecessary and a colossal waste of resources. If they are worried about an interruption in service they should keep a backup ferry ready to go at a cost of about $10 million plus $1 million a year. They could do this for 850 years for the same amount of money as building one of the two expansions.

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 8 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

NOT SO Submitted by quiturcryin on Fri, 05/31/2013 at 1:27 am. Traffic counts will continue to rise. Danger of head-on crashes in the tunnels is omnipresent. Raise the tolls (only affects us users, so the rest of you butt out!)and build the parallel tunnels asap!

YOU ARE THE ONE THAT NEEDS TO BUTT OUT! Submitted by xptown on Fri, 05/31/2013 at 10:50 am. I am a taxpayer who is funding your risky $839 million federal loan which is a gross waste of resources so that you can have an extra traffic-free lane to drive on. If you can get a private bank or finance company to fund your loan then it's all yours. Otherwise, butt out of my wallet!

NO DELAYS Submitted by letsgogolfing on Fri, 05/31/2013 at 7:33 am. No delays, and it is a privately funded and maintained structure--hmmmm, coincidence? What's the resources being wasted? The construction crew that will see a nice, large contract? And your idea is a ferry? Do you know how many times a year--especially in the summer months--that wind restrictions are set on the bridge? What will that do for the back-up ferry plan? Horrible idea.

HAVE THEY SAVED ANY MONEY FOR THE FUTURE? Submitted by sphinxrb on Fri, 05/31/2013 at 9:56 am. Since the toll's started being collected for this bridge/tunnel system; have they not saved any money for the future all this time? That's the question I would like to see answered first. They knew they day would come that a tunnel would need to be replaced, or one of the entire spans; are they saving for that? Example, a good condo association, would be saving for future roof replacements, paint, siding, general repairs, all along; so when it needed to be done, no additional condo fee's would be charged, it's in the schedule. Then if something new is wanted, it's voted on, a new bill would be sent to condo owners to pay for it. Just seems to me this would have been in the financial schedule from day one.

SEEMS Submitted by jld30182 on Fri, 05/31/2013 at 10:26 am. reasonable to me. However, I think they should exclude the commuters who live on the Shore and work on the Southside and vice versa. Let the tourists pay the extra fee. Summer hotel rates are higher...

Comment viewing options Threaded list - expanded Date - oldest first 300 comments per page Save settings Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes. Please note: Threaded comments work best if you view the oldest comments first.

MORE TRAFFIC - TRANSPORTATION STORIES MORE NEWS STORIES http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 9 of 10 Bay Bridge-Tunnel moves toward higher toll, expansion | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com 5/31/13 10:51 AM

Driver freed after car slams into tree in Photos | New YMCA opens on Granby in Norfolk Norfolk Should Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel 1,000 Venus flytraps stolen from N.C. rates be raised by $3 on summer garden weekends to hasten the span's expansion? Virginia gravedigger arrested in North Study: Helmet law weakened, motorcycle Carolina injuries up Small plane crashes into Va. apartment Dominion Blvd. ramp in Chesapeake to building close Va. parks to host Trail Day, Clean the Bay HRBT tide gates to be tested June 16 events

More articles from: News Traffic - Transportation

http://hamptonroads.com/2013/05/bay-bridgetunnel-moves-toward-higher-toll-expansion Page 10 of 10