Va. Advisory Panel’s I-81 Plan Would Put Tolls on All Vehicles

Proposal Calls for Separate Truck and Car Lanes

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he Virginia advisory panel reviewing proposals to expand Interstate 81 in the state recommended a plan that would separate trucks from automobile traffic and charge all vehicles — passenger cars as well as trucks — to use the highway, the state transportation department said.

An earlier plan that met heavy trucking-industry opposition would have built truck-only toll lanes along the artery’s 325-mile length.

“We’re pleased that panel has unanimously recognized and agreed that truck-only tolls would be a disaster for western Virginia,” said Dale Bennett, executive vice president of the Virginia Trucking Association. “The panel recognized the concerns we’ve been raising and acted on that recognition as reflected in the conditions [they set].”

The advisory panel recommended Virginia Transportation Commissioner Philip Shucet pursue the plan from Star Solutions, author of the original truck-only toll idea.

For the full story, see the Feb. 23 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.