People want improved roads, bridges, and tunnels. But they don't want tolls. They don't want higher taxes. And they don't want to cut other programs and shift that funding to transportation.

So the end result is the inaction that has long plagued the region. Can't have it all, folks...something's gotta give.

But it doesn't make sense to have a free enterprise view of necessary infrastructure. Doc Tabor, don't even libertarians hold that infrastructure issues must be handled by government, so that we can all pay in to support those things we all use? Otherwise, I could say I never go to Suffolk, so I shouldn't owe any state money to maintain the roads there, right? I mean we can't just make roads "pay as you go" (if you telecommute and never leave your home, you don't owe any road taxes) . . .

BTW I think the tax issue before the revolution was not so much that the taxes were high, but that they were levied without any input from the taxpayers. We have a lot of taxes, and we waste a good deal of money on inefficiencies, like all large organizations, public or private. But as far as roads go, they are expensive. And everyone wants to drive everywhere like it is a God given right. So, we build and maintain, and then we build some more. But we create drivers faster than we create roadways. As such, the citizenry demands more to avoid traffic jams, and the dance goes on and on.
Europe had the right idea decades ago. Keep the cost of personal transportation high to encourage alternative means such as trains, buses, walking, living in town or near work, bicycles, etc. All we wanted was to sell more, larger and inefficient cars. That worked well. So now, the 50 billion or so we didn't want to spend on public transportation, more roads, and the like is going to be pumped into some failed and poorly managed auto industry. If we have the money for this, why didn't we have it for better mass transit?

Portsmouth is not inaccessible due to some conspiracy or racism – There’s WATER all around it! I purposely avoid going anywhere near the tunnels during rush hours because they’re all backed up. This doesn’t make me maniacal or racist, but practical. The burden then becomes Portsmouth’s to fix this – not general tax payers. You saw the water when you moved there, right?

This leads me to ask the question. What do mine or our state income tax, sales tax, real estate tax, personal property tax, federal income tax, gasoline tax, business tax, payroll tax, Inheritance Tax, Caprital gains tax, Excise tax, road and toll booth tax, telephone recurring, nonrecurring, surcharge, minimum usage surcharge, usage charge TAXES, trailer registration tax, Utility Taxes, Vehicle License Registration Tax, just to name a few pay for anymore? I mean dont get me wrong I dont mind paying my "fair" share but what for exactly? If not infrastructure then where does it go?

It's hard to believe America was founded to avoid high taxation. Has anyone looked at how much real estate taxes are lately? A 400K home almost runs you 400 bucks a month just in "taxes"!!! Tolls? I dont think so!!!

Len is right. The idea of turning our basic transportation arteries over to private profit based corporations is impractical. Tolls may be needed to fund upkeep of the tunnels but that can be done without involving private interests who would need to turn a profit at our expense by padding tolls and skimping on maintenance. Tabor once again puts his ideology before common sense or public interests.

between two roads going to and from different parts of 2 cities and will always be at capacity because there are no viable alternatives? Essentially you will have a private oligopoly, keeping fees higher to provide profit for investors, salaries, bonuses etc. So the question is not monopoly versus competition, but rather the most cost effective monopoly for the area. The tolls can be more reasonable with public financing since the cost will be spread among all the beneficiaries of a better access system, not just those who drive through the tunnels. All residents of both cities, drivers or not, will benefit by better access, commerce, less pressure on local streets, evacuation routes etc., and as such, public financing is the more equitable route.

I think a toll on both tunnels is a horrible idea. It has the potential to choke the economy. It is an artery that will benefit the whole state, and therefore, state funds should be used. If you are going to toll, toll one and leave the other without a toll.

That's a red herring. I won't respond. Rant away

Mike, How exactly would spending $6 Billion on western connectors for the Port improve the congestion between Portsmouth and the cites to the East?

Len & Noon, Can you point to an instance where a monopoly has charged less for a service than competing suppliers?

"and create even more nightmarish traffic tie-ups."

How exactly do tolls create MORE traffic? Wouldn't they lessen traffic? I would think that fewer drivers would use those roads--I know I would choose other destinations....

Well it may be one thing to complain about the possible tolls, but at this point, tolls are just about the only option that remains. The writer perhaps would be better off recruiting her fellow city dwellers and calling on their Delegate, Johnny Joannou who led the opposition to funding improvements to our regional transportation system which included the mid town tunnel. Unless elected leaders are willing to raise new revenue, we can all moan and complain all we want, but we won't have new roads, bridges, or tunnels to lessen the congestion at choke points. It would seem to me that a city so dependent upon bridges and tunnels for access would have Delegates and Senators who work for solutions, but regretfully, in the case of Joannou, he has joined with the majority in the House of Delegates to block improvements.

I have always considered Portsmouth the "armpit of the region"..but it still kind of ticks me off that it is harder to get there if I need to.

Not going to happen. First, you have two routes going to different locations. Second, a tunnel is a tunnel, so quality of service is not even an issue. Third, both operators will have very similar fixed operating expenses, so the difference in tolls should be minimal. Fourth, most importantly, both tunnels will more than likely operate at full capacity, so if there is a jam in one of them, the other will have all it can handle, even if the cost is $.50 more. And since they will be both full, no point in undercutting your competition for more "business" since that just increases the delays in your tunnel. No, that is a pipe dream.

I think that might result in implicit price fixing. The problem is there would simply be no viable alternative in many A to B trips. Your Pepsi and Coke companies would both know this and would naturally seek to leverage that reality. The natural result of this "coopertition" would be that the tolls on both tunnels would rise as high as the market would bear. Pricing becomes a mini-max excercise for the operators. "how high can we make the tolls before the fall off in users cost more than our gains." I'm not sure what differentiator the two companies might employ--likely none. Tunnel transit is a commodity. The result would be the highest possible tolls. We want the lowest tolls that will pay for renovations and support maintainence. Given the critical nature of our ports and the military bases the state should, ideally, pick up some of the tab. Now, who knows how to get blood from a stone?

Barges, expanded rail, and shore to shore container conveyor systems would be more efficient and reduce traffic.

Instead of leasing both tunnels to a single operator, lease them, or even better, sell them, to separate operators so there will be competition between them on tolls and convenience.

Creating a monopoly on crossings between Norfolk/Chesapeake and Portsmouth is a truly stupid idea. And even stupider idea is for that monopoly to be held by government.

Just as UPS makes Fedex better and cheaper, by competing for business, the DownTown and MidTown tunnels will serve us better if held by private operators/owners viciously competing for our toll money.

Leasing the tunnel to a private corporation is the most idiotic idea I've heard of in a while. High tolls will isolate portsmouth and make intercity commerce and employment that much more difficult. It is a major step backwards for the Tidewater area.

Your absolutely correct! Portsmouth will be the big loser on this stupid idea and just think, one of your Portsmouth Councilman thinks it's a great idea. This will stop many people from wanting to go to Portsmouth. So, what good will a light rail connection be that at best, will dump the people off blocks from where they need to go??
Faced with a $6 round trip, who will go to Portsmouth to do business or pleasure? I think the High Street businesses need to speak out. Further, many military, who live in Portsmouth will move to the other 3 cities to avoid the $1,500 annual cost to their modest income, therefore, even less money being spent in Portsmouth. Military who have to use the PN-Hosp or shipyard will be hit by, what amount to, be a $6 "Fine"!! All because of failed political action and bickering in Richmond....and this is local governments answer to the problem.....what leadership!!! Talk about "Tunnel Vision" this one takes first place!!