Toll fees jumping to nearly $20 in US state from January 1 – but there’s a way drivers can pay only half

TOLLS in one US state are set to jump to nearly $20 from next year – but there’s a way drivers can get away with only paying half.

The route is used by around 100,000 vehicles a day and rakes in millions every year.

But bosses at the Elizabeth River Crossing in Virginia are raising rates to cope with the rapid inflation that has hit the nation in recent years.

Officials say that the increases have been negotiated as part of the operator’s deal with the state Department of Transportation.

Both the Downtown and Midtown tunnels will be affected when the changes come in on January 1.

Drivers passing through the tunnels, which connect the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth, are separated into two tiers based on the size of their vehicles.

Each of these categories then has two ways to pay, with toll rates varying between them.

Motorists can either “pay by plate” by having their number plate scanned by smart cameras at the toll points or using an EZ Pass, which can be picked up for a $35 fee.

There are also different fees for peak and off-peak hours.

Peak hours are between 5.30am and 9am and 2.30pm and 7pm, with all other times considered off-peak.

During peak times, the pay by plate rate is increasing from $7.57 to $7.89 per trip for vehicles like cars, bikes and trucks.

Likewise, at off-peak times, the prices will be hiked from $6.77 to $7 per trip.

Those with an EZ Pass can benefit from lower rates, as well as pre-loading money onto it to reduce waiting times.

Off-peak charges for pass holders will increase from $2.26 to $2.34, while peak hours will go from $3.06 to $3.23.

And for larger vehicles like cars with trailers and commercial vehicles, the new rates will stand at $11.66 at off-peak times and $17.56 in peak periods.

The operator says that the increase will help fund the upkeep of the two tunnels as well as the connecting MLK Highway.

This includes paying back a $2.1 billion debt built up during structural work in 2017.

However, there is a loophole that allows some drivers to only pay half the tolls.

Low-income drivers can receive relief on the charges at a rate of 50% off on up to 14 trips per week.

To be eligible for the relief scheme you must:

To be eligible, residents must:

• Earn less than $65,000 per year
• Live in Hampton Roads
• Drive a passenger vehicle (vehicles over 2-axles are ineligible)
• Have a Virginia E-ZPass transponder

You can apply at the EZ Pass Customer Service Centers in Portsmouth or Norfolk as well as the DriveERT Customer Care Center in Portsmouth.

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