Council hears conceptual options to toll I‑64, relieve Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel congestion

Vice Mayor Gilliland, speaking as the city’s MPO representative, asked the council to begin shaping a local position on long‑term transportation choices after federal ‘‘fiscal constraint’’ rules removed several large projects from the regional plan.

"We need to discuss ... how we feel about the long term transportation plan and the issues that we face with Interstate 64 and the Hampton Roads Bridge‑Tunnel," Gilliland said. He described a range of concepts people have suggested — adding additional tubes to the HRBT, tolling nonresidents farther west on I‑64 near the I‑295 interchange to shift through traffic to I‑95/460, or exploring an alternate crossing farther upriver — and stressed he did not expect an immediate resolution.

Council members asked for supporting data. The mayor suggested exploring a smaller‑capacity additional tube ("0.333 tube") that could serve HOV, emergency vehicles and public transit. Gilliland offered to coordinate with staff and draft a letter as the city’s MPO representative asking for targeted analysis and research (traffic counts, diversion modeling and fiscal impacts), and council asked staff to assemble background reports to inform a future council retreat or motion.

Several members noted legislative and regional politics will affect any tolling proposal: tolls may deter tourism to nearby destinations and require interjurisdictional coordination. The council did not vote on policy but requested follow‑up information and a formal letter to the MPO.