Warner Urged to Veto I-81 Bill

Virginia Gov. Mark Warner has until April 8 to sign a bill that would allow tolls on existing roads, but it could be years before a proposal to build truck-only toll lanes on Interstate 81 is approved, a state transportation official said.

American Trucking Associations, meanwhile, urged the governor to veto the legislation and pledged to fight the project at every step if he does not.

ATA President William J. Canary, in a March 13 letter to Warner, raised issues of inadequate financing for the ambitious project, a diversion of truck traffic if tolls are imposed and potential damage to businesses along I-81 and Virginia’s economy should truckers in large numbers avoid the pay-as-you-go roadway.

For the full story, see the March 18 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

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