Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has asked the federal government for permission to place tolls on Interstate 95, a move that could generate up to $60 million annually, his office said on Monday.
McDonnell said levying a toll of $1 to $2 for each axle of a vehicle will help improve the safety and conditions of the major thoroughfare and also expand the highway. He said I-95, which runs the length of the East Coast, from Maine to Florida, has one of the highest accident rates of all the major transportation corridors in the state.
The U.S. government has already approved tolls on another road, Interstate 81, and Virginia is asking to simply transfer that authority to I-95, McDonnell's office said.
The state's Republican governor has been working this month to line up funds for Virginia's roads and bridges. Last week he said the state will soon sell $500 million of transportation bonds.