Let me put my 2 cents in here, as an “outsider.” I’ve been following the toll fiasco on the Pilot even though I don’t live in Hampton Roads, I also get my “local” TV news from there. I live on the Eastern Shore and rarely venture to the other side of the Bay.
However, traffic and congestion, and yes even tolls in the Hampton Roads area, do effect me because it is amazing just how much stuff has to cross the Bay to get here.
A few weeks back, before this “tolling authority” plan came up I suggested a small increase in the gas tax, but ONLY if the distribution formula was changed. Considering the amount Hampton Roads generates for the Commonwealth in gas taxes, the percentage of it returned to the region is disgraceful. The lion’s share always goes to NoVA.
I hate taxes, and toll is just another name for tax, as much as the next gal, but the Hampton Roads infrastructure is important to all of us and something has to be done.
Decent proposal. I think McDonnell’s problem is he misread the tea leaves. All the cronies and the media sounds off that something, anything, must be done. In reality, us common folks would just prefer they pave the roads we have, give up on the choo choo projects, and stick with the status quo if tolls are the alternative.
That’s funny, because in Northern Virginia, we believe that most of our money goes to southwest virginia.
:-)