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Tolls on the new Veterans Bridge -- some love 'em, some hate 'em

Virginian-Pilot - 2/10/2017

Feb. 10--CHESAPEAKE

Candice Carson shivered in the cold morning air Friday morning as she pumped gas into her pickup truck at a 7-Eleven just south of the new Dominion Boulevard-Veteran's Bridge.

She hates her commute from Deep Creek to First Colonial Road in Virginia Beach, where she works in the medical field. But she said the new bridge, even with its $1 toll, has made the daily pre-dawn trek more tolerable.

"I just don't like the drive," Carson said. "And I don't like having to pay to go to work. But I love that there's rarely any traffic like there used to be, so it kinds of works its way out.

"The dollar isn't a big deal in the long run."

Beginning Thursday, commuters using the bridge had to start paying $1 each way if they are signed up with E-ZPass. Those without get mailed a bill for $3. Fees are higher for vehicles with more than two axles.

The jury is still out on how many locals will pay for the bridge, how many will choose free back roads, and whether those corridors will clog as a result. Judging by those who stopped for gas, coffee and breakfast sandwiches Friday morning at the 7-11, feelings remain mixed.

Tim Hooper of Elizabeth City has been traveling to Hampton Roads for six years to work in the HVAC field, and said he doesn't care how convenient the new bridge is.

He's not paying.

"I'm going around it," he said. "Which way I go depends on where I'm working that day, but I'm not paying no toll."

Hooper was working Friday morning near Diamond Springs Road in the northern part of Virginia Beach. Taking the long way meant heading from the 7-Eleven on Dominion down Cedar Road to Battlefield Boulevard, which he would take to Military Highway, to Northampton, then to Diamond Springs.

With lights and speed limits, avoiding the toll was going to take him about 30 extra minutes.

"Doesn't matter," he said with a smile. "I pay enough, and I'm not paying another toll."

Elizabeth Vaughn, the spokeswoman for Chesapeake Public Works, said she understands. Her department isn't going to start monitoring traffic flow on Dominion for a couple of weeks to let toll shock diminish.

"We're expecting some diversion," she said. "Nobody likes tolls, but we're hoping people learn the benefit. There are several ways to go around, depending on where you are going, but none of them make for an easy drive.

"The new bridge really cuts down on time."

Pamela Griffin understands the benefit. She's been driving to Hampton Roads from Elizabeth City for the last three years and remembers the traffic nightmares of the old two-lane Steel Bridge.

"I absolutely love the new road," she said, hurrying to finish pumping gas at the 7-Eleven Friday morning. "I love the fact that there's no traffic and I can just drive on."

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(c)2017 The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, Va.)

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