The Virginian-Pilot
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RICHMOND
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has signed legislation authorizing Chesapeake to proceed with plans to replace the Jordan Bridge, a source close to Kaine confirmed Monday.
The legislation, SB1550, gives the city of Chesapeake the authority to engage a private firm to build a replacement bridge and charge a toll on the span. Sens. Harry Blevins, R-Chesapeake, and Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, sponsored the bill.
Chesapeake is the longtime owner and operator of the Jordan Bridge, which was closed in November because of its decaying state. The bridge's one-way toll before closing was 75 cents.
The toll on the proposed bridge - which would cross the Elizabeth River's Southern Branch, connecting Chesapeake's South Norfolk section to Portsmouth - could be $2 each way.
Earlier this year, the Chesapeake City Council approved a plan that would permit a private developer to pursue the project as a tolled facility.
The estimated price tag for the new bridge is less than $100 million. By one projection, the bridge could open in July 2010.
Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com
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People seem to forget...
If the state wants to put a toll on existing interstate, they have to effectively "buy back" that stretch of highway from the Federal government and then they lose all Federal money for the maintenance of that stretch. So first we'd have to find the money to buy the High Rise, HRBT, MMMBT, Downtown tunnel and then the tolls would have to provide for all their future maintenance costs in addition to supposedly raising money for new projects. After seeing how Chesapeake squandered Jordan Bridge toll money, does anyone have any faith that this would ever work?
M&M
Problem with the M&M is getting to it. Either have to go Mid-town, Downtown or High Rise bridge. All of those options at rush hour are not pleasant.
They should expand the High Rise to 8 lanes and blast 8 lanes all the way through Bowers Hill interchange. Then toll downtown and HRBT for expanding those tunnels. Free ride across the High Rise will generate more traffic down that expanded corridor funnel to the M&M. And while they are at it, create a fly-over interchange from 64 onto 464 South. All that stupid work they just did from Greenbriar to Battlefield didn't solve the traffic backup going from 64 to 464 South at rush hour.
You have a second
You have a second bridge-tunnel, it's called the Monitor-Merrimac and if people used it, traffic on the HRBT would be a whole lot lighter.
Comment On New Tunnel
I,m for a new tunnel in Hampton Roads and a new Jordan Bridge.
The new Jordan Bridge toll will be $2.00 minimum one way which is fair.
The new Hampton Roads Tunnel if built should be a $2.00 minimum as well.
I believe all the tunnels in the Hampton Roads area should charge motorist $2.00 each way so people can start getting used to tolls.
After all we would be forced to pay tolls to get anywhere in todays traffic.
Maybe then people will learn how to carpool like they do in NoVa.
Look at all the money the area could be making with $2.00 tolls on the HRBT, Downtown, Midtown and MMBT...Thousands of dollars each day create millions of dollars each month which relate to billions for the transportation Authority.
*****GO FOR IT HAMPTON ROADS ON $2.00 TOLLS FOR THE TUNNELS*****
This is great!
Now can we get a second Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel built? Or do they need that money for a "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska?