PORTSMOUTH — Expanded toll relief included in the state budget this year means some Hampton Roads residents could soon pay nothing to drive through the region’s tolled tunnels.
The budget approved by Virginia lawmakers this year includes $101 million of additional toll relief funding for those who use the Downtown and Midtown tunnels connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth. It includes a $77 million earmark in the first fiscal year and $24 million in the second.
For drivers earning less than $50,000 per year, the expanded toll relief provides 100% off the cost of 14 trips through the tunnels for two-axle passenger vehicles. But it applies only to residents of the most fiscally stressed cities in the region, including Hampton, Norfolk, Newport News, Portsmouth and Franklin. Eligible drivers include those residing in a planning district with at least three tolled bridges or tunnels with a score of 104 or higher on the fiscal stress index, as published by the Department of Housing and Community Development. Drivers must have a registered E-ZPass transponder.
That bucket of toll relief funding adds to the existing toll relief program offered to all Hampton Roads residents, through which drivers earning up to $65,000 annually with an E-ZPass transponder can get 50% off 14 weekly trips through the tunnels.
As part of the agreement between Elizabeth River Crossings, which oversees the tunnels, and Virginia Department of Transportation that spans until 2070, toll rates can increase by 3.5% per year or at the previous year’s consumer price index rate, whichever is greater. Beginning Jan. 1, the rates for passenger vehicles using E-ZPass will go from $2.26 to $2.34 during normal hours and from $3.06 to $3.23 during peak hours. For heavy vehicles with E-ZPass, the tolls will go from $6.77 to $7 during normal hours and $12.24 to $12.90 during peak hours.
Without E-ZPass, passenger vehicles will be charged tolls of $7 during normal hours, up from $6.77 in 2024, and $7.89 during peak hours, up from $7.57. Heavy vehicles will pay tolls of $11.66 during normal hours, up from $11.28, and $17.56 during peak hours, up from $16.75.
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How to take advantage of toll relief
There’s no deadline for taking advantage of the toll relief, but residents are encouraged to apply early, which must be done in person at E-ZPass Customer Service Centers in Norfolk or Portsmouth or at the DriveERT Customer Care Center in Portsmouth.
Norfolk E-ZPass Customer Service Center1701 Church St.Norfolk, VA 23504Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Portsmouth E-ZPass Customer Service Center4010 Victory Blvd.Portsmouth, VA 23701Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
DriveERT Customer Care Center309 County St.Portsmouth, VA 23704Hours: Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
When applying in person, bring proof of residence and income. Residence can be proved from a driver’s license, checking or savings account statement, utility bill, mortgage, rental lease, military documentation confirming city of residence or property tax bill. Proof of income can include Social Security statements, tax forms, one month of pay stubs, notarized employer’s statement or self-declaration of no income.
Once approved for the program, E-ZPass transponders will link to the unique toll relief confirmation code given. Residents with a balance on their E-ZPass account can still enroll in the toll relief, but discounts cannot be applied until negative balances are resolved.
The $101 million boost of funding is also intended to cover outstanding customer balances and fees due to ERC as of Dec. 31. However, VDOT’s website states that eligibility will be determined at a later date.
A VDOT spokesperson said the department and ERC have been in conversations surrounding toll debt forgiveness, but that challenges exist with the enacted language that ties eligible drivers to income level.
“The proposed budget bill for the 2025 General Assembly session contains modifications that would allow negotiations to advance for eligible drivers’ debt at the time the toll was incurred,” said VDOT communications manager Brittany McBride Nichols, who oversees the Hampton Roads district. “Once this is addressed by the General Assembly, VDOT will be able to work with ERC to finalize the negotiations and determine an implementation timeline.”
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com