Emporia officials quiz gov over I-95 toll proposal
by AP,posted Aug 23 2012 1:43PM
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The simmering dispute over Gov. Bob McDonnell's proposal to levy tolls for upgrades on Interstate 95 near the North Carolina border got hotter on statewide radio Thursday as Emporia's mayor and a city councilman grilled the governor.
McDonnell said he will inquire about placing tolls elsewhere along the Virginia portion of the primary East Coast traffic artery after Emporia Mayor Samuel Adams and Councilman Jim Saunders told McDonnell on WRVA-AM the tolls would harm one of the state's poorest areas.
Saunders questioned why the proposed tolling is near Emporia, where only 35,000 cars daily use I-95, instead of Caroline County where 85,000 vehicles pass daily.
McDonnell said there's no appetite for new state taxes to maintain and expand I-95 in northern Virginia and elsewhere.
