33.1-23.03:10 - Tolls for use of Interstate Highway System components

§ 33.1-23.03:10. Tolls for use of Interstate Highway System components.

A. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this title and in accordancewith all applicable federal and state statutes and requirements, theCommonwealth Transportation Board may impose and collect tolls from allclasses of vehicles in amounts established by the Board for the use of anycomponent of the Interstate Highway System within the Commonwealth. However,prior approval of the General Assembly shall be required prior to theimposition and collection of any toll for use of all or any portion ofInterstate Route 81. Such funds so collected shall be deposited into theTransportation Trust Fund established pursuant to § 33.1-23.03:1, subject toallocation by the Board as provided in this section.

B. The toll facilities authorized by this section shall be subject to theprovisions of federal law for the purpose of tolling motor vehicles tofinance interstate construction and reconstruction, promote efficiency in theuse of highways, reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and for suchother purposes as may be permitted by federal law.

C. In order to mitigate traffic congestion in the vicinity of the tollfacilities, no toll facility shall be operated without high-speed automatedtoll collection technology designed to allow motorists to travel through thetoll facilities without stopping to make payments. Nothing in this subsectionshall be construed to prohibit a toll facility from retaining means ofnon-automated toll collection in some lanes of the facility. The Board shallalso consider traffic congestion and mitigation thereof and the impact onlocal traffic movement as factors in determining the location of the tollfacilities authorized pursuant to this section.

D. The revenues collected from each toll facility established pursuant tothis section shall be deposited into segregated subaccounts in theTransportation Trust Fund and may be allocated by the CommonwealthTransportation Board as the Board deems appropriate to:

1. Pay or finance all or part of the costs of programs or projects, includingwithout limitation the costs of planning, operation, maintenance andimprovements incurred in connection with the toll facility provided that suchallocations shall be limited to programs and projects that are reasonablyrelated to or benefit the users of the toll facility. The priorities ofmetropolitan planning organizations, planning district commissions, localgovernments, and transportation corridors shall be considered by the Board inmaking project allocations from such revenues deposited into theTransportation Trust Fund.

2. Repay funds from the Toll Facilities Revolving Account or theTransportation Partnership Opportunity Fund.

3. Pay the Board's reasonable costs and expenses incurred in theadministration and management of the Toll Facility.

(2007, c. 477; 2008, cc. 602, 838.)