On May 10, Virginia’s Governor, Bob McDonnell, applied to add tolls to Interstate 95, just inside the state’s North Carolina border. At $1 to $2 per axle, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) estimates the tolls could generate between $30 and $60 million per year. VDOT would use the money to increase the Interstate’s safety and infrastructure, which has one of the state’s highest accident rates. If approved, the new toll could cost $10 for trucks with five axels, a hefty price that would add up quickly for drivers who frequent this major North-South corridor.

The announcement comes less than a week after three Pennsylvania legislators recommended placing tolls where motorists enter and leave the state on Interstates 78, 79, 80, 84, 90 and 95. Like Virginia, Pennsylvania faces severe transportation budget shortfalls, and hopes tolls will help provide the much-needed funding for necessary maintenance and repair.

When addressing budgetary fixes, highway tolls are a sensible option, because drivers who use the roads the most, and create the most wear and tear, are directly charged for their upkeep. But, if more states suffer from budgetary woes — and try resolving their money problems with toll hikes — isn’t the increased cost of transporting goods bound to affect not only the trucking industry, but our economy as a whole?

Do you think adding tolls to cover budget problems is fair?
How will you cover the increased costs if Virginia and Pennsylvania add tolls?