Residents board bus to take on tolls

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - Portsmouth residents and business leaders went to Richmond to give state leaders a piece of their mind. The group hopes their visit will prompt leaders to lower the tolls that will be installed on the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels later this year.

About 50 people boarded the bus to support Portsmouth Democrat State Senator Louise Lucas, who submitted a budget amendment.

Lucas' amendment asks that Governor Bob McDonnell allot an additional $500 million towards the Midtown Tunnel construction project, which will, in turn, bring down the price of the tolls.

Right now, the toll would cost $1.84 each way during peak hours.

"I think the unknown brings fear," Rev. Melvin Marriner said. "We win if we are heard. We can't lose. We can't lose when our voices are heard. The state leaders will know the outcry of the citizens."

Many members of the group testified before the Virginia Senate Finance Subcommittee on Transportation.

WAVY.com spoke with Portsmouth businessman Maurice Slaughter before he boarded the bus Wednesday. Slaughter said he has been getting an earful from employees.

"They are asking for a raise. I got 11 employees who live in Virginia Beach and they are figuring it's going to cost $1000 a year, so you got 11 employees asking for a raise. It's not secret in our payroll with 35 others saying, 'What about me, boss?' There is no way you can give a payroll raise of $46,000," Slaughter said.

Realtor Barbara Smith also got on the bus and told WAVY.com business is turning bad for her.

"It makes a difference when I'm trying to sell homes because the toll price is so high," Smith said.

Marriner added, "Battles are meant to be fought. If we don't fight, it will go on and on and on and year after year."

The Senate Finance Subcommittee on Transportation took the testimony without judgment and will consider the budget amendment, along with many others, next week before the full Virginia Senate Finance Committee.