Tolls Officially Removed on Coleman Bridge
As of August 8, Virginia has officially ended toll collection on the George P. Coleman Bridge along Route 17, just outside Newport News. The decision, announced months ahead of the January 1 deadline, affects nearly 33,000 vehicles daily that use the bridge to cross between Gloucester and York counties.
Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III explained that the state has now fully repaid the bond debt used to fund the 1996 expansion of the bridge. With tolling infrastructure at the end of its lifespan, continuing collections would have required $5 million in upgrades. Instead, the state chose to end tolls early, putting money back into taxpayers’ hands.
Governor Youngkin’s Push for Affordability
Governor Glenn Youngkin championed the toll removal, framing it as both an economic relief measure and a step toward affordability for families and local businesses.
“Eliminating tolls on the Coleman Bridge is more than just a financial decision,” Youngkin said. “It’s a commitment to easing the burden on commuters while supporting economic growth across the commonwealth.”
By avoiding future toll infrastructure investments, the state also reduces operating costs, ensuring funds can be redirected to other transportation needs.
Toll Revenue and Traffic Data
The Coleman Bridge generated around $6 million annually, though nearly half of that revenue went directly to toll collection operations.
- 2023 daily traffic: about 30,000 vehicles crossed the bridge in both directions.
- Vehicle breakdown: 98% were passenger vehicles, while trucks accounted for just 2%.
- Revenue mix: trucks, though only 2.6% of transactions, represented 8.5% of toll revenue due to higher toll rates.
A Historic and Vital Crossing
Originally opened in 1952, the Coleman Bridge is the largest double-swing-span bridge in the U.S., stretching 3,750 feet across the York River. The bridge was expanded to four lanes in 1996 to handle growing traffic volumes, with tolls instituted to repay the construction bonds.
With the debt now cleared, Virginia officials see the elimination of tolls as an opportunity to encourage regional economic development and improve quality of life for commuters.
Delegate M. Keith Hodges emphasized the broader benefits: “By removing tolls, we’re unburdening middle Peninsula residents and opening the door to good-paying jobs and economic growth.”
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