Reprinted with permission from the Independent-Messenger

Several things were apparent at the May 17 meeting of the Greensville County School Board-local government officials are adamantly opposed to putting a toll road on I-95 -- Assistant Secretary of Transportation, Matt Strader, had no answers to anyone's questions, and there is no apparent reason why Greensville County was chosen for the toll plaza. Greensville County Chairman Peggy Wiley summed up what everyone in attendance was thinking when she said, "We can fight when we have to fight. Tell the Governor our vote may not count but we can... and we will be loud."

Strader started off his spiel by saying that Governor Bob McDonnell has only taken the first step forward in implementing tolling along the Virginia border by having the Commonwealth Transportation Board submit an application to the Federal Highway Administration to toll Interstate 95.
Virginia would be the only state south of Maryland to charge tolls on the interstate, which runs from Maine to Florida. No other tolls are planned.

If approved by federal highway officials, a proposed toll area would have to undergo an environmental review. The governor's office said the earliest a toll would be established is 2012.
The tolling requested by Virginia is being sought under the provisional acceptance of tolls along Interstate 81. The shift in authority to I-95 is being sought because the I-81 project has been delayed due to a number of issues, including an environmental impact statement, said Strader, noting that I-95 has more safety issues.

Projects would be prioritized by how bad they are, said Strader when questioned by Greensville County Chairman Peggy Wiley whether improvements would start in Spotsylvania County or Greensville County.
At the direction of the Governor, Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton submitted the tolling request under the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program. Virginia currently has approval to toll I-81 under that Pilot Program and is requesting to switch that authority to I-95, Strader said.

The Governor has written to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood urging a positive response to Virginia's request.
Interstate Route 95 is one of the nation's largest and most important transportation corridors, linking commercial and economic centers and tourist destinations up and down the East Coast, Strader said.
He went on to say that significant portions of I-95 have deficient pavements and structures. These deficiencies contribute to I-95 having one of the highest accident rates of all of the Commonwealth's major transportation corridors.
All revenues generated through tolling will be used exclusively in the I-95 corridor. Revenues will first be directed towards making a number of safety improvements throughout the corridor, and then making improvements to the pavement conditions and infrastructure. Once these improvements are made, the Commonwealth will begin making capacity improvements where needed, Strader said, noting that I-95 has 500 miles of deficient roadways and 73 deficient or obsolete structures or bridges.
When asked by Chairman Peggy Wiley would road improvements start in Greensville County, Strader said areas where the most accidents happen will be upgraded first.
Strader said he was not exactly sure where the toll would be located but it would be between Emporia and the state line.
When asked if local motorists can get an easy pass, Strader didn't know but said many details will be worked out later if the Transportation Board gets permission to toll I-95.
Strader said about 10 percent of the traffic or almost 9,000 vehicles in both lanes would get off the interstate onto Route 301 to avoid the tolls.
When asked by County Administrator Dave Whittington why Southside Virginia was chosen for a toll plaza, Strader said, "I do not have an answer." Nor did he have answers for any of the other questions asked by local government officials or the public.
Whittington said, "If the goal is to generate money, why not go where twice as many vehicles are?"
Strader said the Board has tolling contracts in place in northern Virginia, so the tolls could not be put there.
"I am opposed to this," said Emporia Mayor Sam Adams, noting that he had asked for Council to be part of the process early on but his request was totally ignored.
The mayor went on to say that there have been many backups lasting hours on Route 301 when accidents occurred on I-95.
"You guys in Richmond have no idea what is going on here or what life is like here," said Adams. "You need to know. That's why I suggested talking early on."
The local community is fiscally stressed, the Mayor pointed out, noting that he feels the toll is proposed for Emporia-Greensville because the area doesn't have any legislative clout.
"You want to put it here because we don't have as much of a voice. But we're not going away. We don't have dollars to give to campaigns but don't think you are going to get away with it. Southside Virginia can raise hell when we need to. We are easy targets -- we always have been."
The Mayor threatened to put "no toll" signs on VDOT's bridges, even though it is illegal. "But we will do it," he said.
Adams said city officials want to meet with the Transportation Board but have not been invited to the table for talks. "You know where we are," said Adams. "You better come see us."
Councilman Woody Harris echoed the Mayor's comments and pointed out that Virginia's sales tax is a lot lower than North Carolina's so many residents shop in Emporia. The loss of that revenue needs to be taken into consideration when adding up how much revenue a toll would generate, Harris said.
Harris, is opposed to the tolls because not all interstates will be tolled, which is not fair. He also noted that the proposed area for the toll could have wetland mitigation issues. "We're going to do what we can to stop you but we are willing to work with you," he added.
Other residents pointed out that the toll would affect Georgia-Pacific on Route 301, an area which already has accidents. Big rigs constantly come and go at the plant.
"If you want to be fair, raise the gas tax," said Donald Moore, whose family has lived on a local farm since 1924. "That way everyone will pay and we won't be the only ones to pay. It's another example of having things rammed down your throat that you don't want."
Dr. Philip Worrell talked about how many teachers live in North Carolina and commute to work.
"Emporia is the most fiscally stressed locality in the state," commented City Manager Brian Thrower.
Rick Franklin, representing Congressman Randy Forbes, said his office will do everything federally possible to stop the toll, and that the toll would affect minorities like Hispanics. He went on to say that the transportation system is a state problem not just a local problem.
Rufus Tyler spoke on behalf of Delegate Rosyln Tyler, who met with the governor earlier that day to discuss the issue and how it will affect commuters such as teachers. The transportation problem shouldn't be balanced on the backs of Southside Virginia, he said.
Supervisor Mike Ferguson said the burden shouldn't be put on Greensville County residents and that raising sales tax by one cent would put the burden on everyone instead of "punishing little ole' Southside Virginia for something the whole state is involved in."
"They're dumping on us because we don't have the voting strength," said Wiley. "We are just as important as anyone else. Our board will not stand by without letting you know we are vehemently opposed to it," she said noting that she felt that traffic would back up on the interstate and cause pile ups. "I just can't believe this is happening. We are the redheaded step child."
Wiley went on to say that Greensville County is serious about not wanting the toll and would fight like they did to get Route 58 widened when "Suicide Strip" was claiming lives left and right and the county took bus loads of people to Richmond who successfully rallied to get the highway widened.
She pointed out that Greensville County is a farming community and the farmers have large equipment traveling on Route 301 and that if traffic is diverted it would lead to a massive back up and other issues.
If you would like to tell the Governor how you feel about the issue you can email him at his website: www.governor.virginia.gov/Contact.cfm or send a letter to: Governor Robert McDonnell, Patrick Henry Building, 3rd Floor, 1111 East Broad St., Richmond, VA 23219.
If you would like to send a copy of the letter or email to the Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton, his address is Sean Connaughton, P.O. Box 1475, Richmond, VA 23218.