Submitted Public Comments - Hampton Roads Transportation ...

Attachment to Mr. Cairn's Message Regarding
Termination for Convenience of the P3 Contract for the Midtown Tunnel/Downtown Tunnel/MLK Extension Project
David Milford Virginia Beach VA 23455 United States
Imposing this TAX without a vote is unethical, underhanded, and it penalizes many who can LEAST afford it! i.e.
Portsmouth businesses, Shipyard workers, and military (both active duty and retired), who can LEAST afford it. Raise
taxes (reasonably) and you will no longer feel the wrath of the people who must pass through this tunnel twice, 5‐6
times per week! This is the most unfair proposition I have ever experienced in my 24 years in the greater Hampton
3/9/2012 Roads area.
Debbie Moudry Powhatan VA 23139 United States
As one who grew up paying tolls on the Hampton Rd. tunnel and the Portsmouth one as well, I know first hand how
expensive it is. With the revenue that it collected from the two tunnels, the James River Bridge, and the ferries, the
money should have been put into a bearing interest fund to pay for all future needs. The monies that were collected
and still being collected, not only paid for the tunnels, and bridge, several times over, it just is never managed
properly to begin with. Maybe, it would be a good idea to get an honest investment advisor to invest the money so
that it would pay for the roads
instead of straining an already strained society. If they do put the tolls back on, that would be a shame, but if they
do, it should be a low flat price, not a daily thing and this time they should get a financial advisor or investor, to make
3/9/2012 sure that the monies collected gets invested to help pay for future road repairs.
Richard Parzynski Chesapeake VA 23323 United States
I retired from the Navy, and trying to make it and it hard paying tolls to go through the tunnels 2&3 times a day
3/9/2012 would put me more in the hold.
Harold Harper Virginia Beach VA 23452 United States
I use the downtown tunnel everyday.Tolls are a bad idea and this public‐private arrangement touted by the governor
as the best solution is not the best solution. This only shows the ultimate failure of our General Assembly and the
Governor to take the responsibilty given them and give it away to a private company that will make their
3/9/2012 shareholders rich.
Arthur Menoche newport news VA 23606 United States
Because I live in newport news, pay gas and parking to work in Norfolk. My income would be drastically hurt by this.
I'll take the HRBT and add more strain to that tunnel. Northern Va keeps getting off and we are the engine of
3/9/2012 commerce in this state. also the military headquarters of the east coast.
Ann Leister Virginia Beach VA 23452 United States 3/9/2012 I have business all over Hampton Roads. These tolls can greatly affect businesses & families.
David James Norfolk VA 23513 United States
I'm signing because this is a function of the state government, supported by the tax money we pay the state and we
3/9/2012 do not need the private sector controlling our roads!
Basically we are expected to not only accept the tolls as the cure all solution but to be subject to a contract that will
howard mclain portsmouth VA 23703 United States 3/9/2012 span generations(with escalation clauses). Fifty years is a long public obligation to a private corporation.
Sommer Alexander Chesapeake VA 23321 United States
I work in Norfolk but live on the other side of the tunnel. This is my first full‐time job, so I don't make much (and, of
course, wages have been stagnant for some time and will most likely remain so for a few years). With prices rising
everyday on necessities like food and fuel, I feel increasingly crunched, even though I manage to add to my savings
every month. The very idea of these tolls is a slap in the face at a time like this, especially for lower‐income workers
and students...not to mention the negative effects this will have on businesses. $1.84 each way during peak hours?
Heck, that's a paycheck gone each year for some! Politicians are severely disconnected with the struggles of the
3/9/2012 general population right now, and I'm appalled that they would allow something like this to happen.
walter williams Norfolk VA 23509 United States 3/9/2012 no toll, need to figure another way gas at 4 dollars a gallon now.
David Watson Suffolk VA 23438 United States
Tolls are a detriment to our society in that they restrict commerce. It is relative to closing a highway, bridge or
tunnel. We were blessed when the tolls were removed and consequently the Hampton Roads economy boomed. No
3/9/2012 Tolls!!!
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