I was a bit dismayed in seeing the recent Virginian-Pilot article, “Officials fear tolls could isolate South Hampton Roads.”

By Barrera marquez (Own work) {CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)}, via Wikimedia Commons

I felt as though the state has done another poor job of attempting to amend the area’s transportation woes.

First off, I am not a supporter of tolls because they inhibit the smooth flow of traffic. More importantly, tolls disproportionately affect daily commuters, especially businesses that must cross daily from one side of Hampton Roads to the other.

The article quoted local business owner Bill Jackson of RJR Elite Trucking who says that his business cannot afford to pick up the costs of the tolls but would pass these costs onto consumers. So consumers would essentially be double-paying: they have to pay for their own passage through the toll as well as pay higher costs for goods that have passed through the tolls.

Norfolk mayor Paul Fraim was also quoted as saying, “the dynamics of all that are worrisome.” When referring to this proposal, he continued, “What does it mean for our economy? Has anybody thought through all this?” He understands that this would hurt business interests in South Hampton Roads. Businesses currently established in Hampton Roads could potentially leave as a result of constantly having to pay tolls to deliver their goods or services.

James Koch, former ODU president and economist, said that numerous tolls “would probably choke off commerce,” and create an impetus for new businesses wanting to set up in Hampton Roads. Potential business owners may think twice before setting up in a region laden with high tolls.

Another contention I have with the proposed tolls is the fact that private companies would operate them. This would put the maintenance and cost of the tolls at the whims of self-interested private investors. President of the National Motorists Association, James Baxter, refers to privately operated toll roads as a monopoly protected by the state.

A copy of the Hampton Roads map with a ring of fire engulfing the region has circulated around city halls and in the community.

“The state’s citizens would have no channel to influence toll road management and pricing decisions,” says Baxter. He also warns, “Don’t be fooled by the references to ‘free-market principles,’ ‘proper pricing,’ ‘supply and demand,’ and ‘economic incentives’ from those selling the for-profit roadways. The truth is, any resemblance to free-market principles is more illusion than fact.”

Highways and bridges should meet the actual needs of the residents of Hampton Roads and not just be a profit-making mechanism for a small group of investors.

I hope residents of Hampton Roads feel as strongly against this proposal as I do, and stand up for a better solution. Hampton Roads really missed a golden opportunity in 2002 when they voted down referendum SB668 that would have raised the sales tax from 4.5% to 5.5%, with the increased one percent being used solely for infrastructure improvements. Since then our bridges and roadways have continued to deteriorate, and Hampton Roads commuters are consistently stuck in traffic.

Our elected officials have hitherto sat idle while the problem has continued to exacerbate. Now we have a horrible plan that jeopardizes the business interests of Hampton Roads by putting a price tag on every single entry point into the Southside.

I say it’s time for our elected officials to get serious about solving our transportation issues instead of placating some narrow business interests that see our roadways as a means to make money, not providing solutions to relieve congestion and repairing the crumbling infrastructure in Hampton Roads. We should all stand and demand our elected officials give us real solutions that don’t hurt our businesses or daily commuters.