Image captured from the 66alliance website.Del. Bob Marshall (R-13th VA) is asking for residential support to help shepherd three bills through the Virginia General Assembly that could help to stop the tolling of I-66.
HB 713 would create a referendum to discover whether Northern Virginians using the I-66 corridor support or oppose the tolls. According to Marshall it would “have a wider pool than the study VDOT did of users within 5 miles of the corridor.” The referendum would be advisory and not binding.
The second bill, HB 1243, would require voter approval to implement tolls on I-66 inside the Beltway, and the third bill, HB 1244, would require voter approval to implement tolls on I-66 outside the beltway.
The bills will be heard in the Privileges & Election Committee, Thursday, Feb 4, at 4 p.m., so those who would like to weigh in will need to act fast, emailing the subcommittee via this address.
VDOT has proposed adding an additional lane to I-66 between Haymarket and the Beltway. However, the interstate would then have two express/toll lanes/HOV-3 lanes and one fewer regular lane. Riding to and from work inside the Beltway D.C. could cost $17/per day round-trip. However, the dynamic tolls on I-66 outside the Beltway would vary, depending upon traffic. A drive between Haymarket and D.C. could quickly become very costly, and VDOT does not recommend taking the tolls for the length of an entire commute.
Buses, carpool lots and possibly an extension of the VRE (Virginia Rail Express) to Haymarket are options being proposed as ways to decrease traffic congestion on the I-66 corridor.
*This article has been corrected to reflect the cost of the dynamic tolls outside the Beltway.
Support Bristow Beat - Donate Today!