Higher RMA tolls prompt some drivers to change course - News

Higher RMA tolls prompt some drivers to change course

Monday, Sep 08, 2008 - 05:46 AM Updated: 01:24 PM

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VOTE IN THE POLL:

The work week is beginning with higher tolls for many Richmond-area commuters.

The tolls have gone up today on the highways, bridges and ramps owned by the Richmond Metropolitan Authority.

Tolls will increase from 50 cents to 70 cents at the main plazas on the Downtown Expressway, the Powhite Parkway and the ramps connecting the Powhite with Forest Hill Avenue in South Richmond.

Jenny Kirby took a different route to work today from her home in South Richmond to avoid tolls. “I think I’ll do it a couple of different ways and time it to see if it’s worth it,” she said.

In addition to the Downtown Expressway, Powhite Parkway and Forest Hill tolls, here's the other increases that went into effect today:

from 25 to 35 cents for traffic using the Boulevard Bridge and the Second Street ramp to and from the Downtown Expressway;

from 15 to 20 cents at the ramps to and from Douglasdale Road at the Powhite;

and from 20 to 30 cents at the ramps at 11th Street and the expressway.

The RMA last raised tolls 10 years ago. The board of the three-jurisdiction RMA -- Richmond, Henrico County and Chesterfield County -- decided to increase the tolls this year because of rising maintenance expenses and the cost of scheduled improvements estimated at $80 million over the next 10 years.

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