Va. seeks U.S. DOT approval to toll I-95

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell would like U.S. DOT clearance to toll I-95 along the North Carolina border.

Virginia did receive the federal go-ahead to charge motorists on I-81 in 2003, and McDonnell would like to transfer that approval to the I-95 route.

“After careful review of the Commonwealth [of Virginia]’s transportation needs, I believe the ability to toll Interstate 95 at the border will quickly enable the Commonwealth to begin addressing some of our greatest areas of concern,” McDonnell said in a statement.

The Virginia DOT estimates that tolls ranging from $1-$2 could generate as much as $60 million annually. The revenue would be put back into the I-95 system, with safety and pavement upgrades taking priority.

McDonnell took it a step further and said in the statement that the toll revenues could eventually be used to add capacity.