PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The toll rates for both the Downtown and Midtown tunnels connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth could increase by several cents for each trip, starting on January 1.
The change comes as part of a planned increase with Elizabeth River Crossings and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), leaving some Portsmouth drivers frustrated.
"You literally need to pay the toll every single time you even want to leave the city," one resident told 13News Now. "I go through the tunnel four times a day, I probably owe them $6,000 at this point!"
According to an agreement between Elizabeth River Crossings and VDOT, tolls can increase by 3.5% per year, or at the previous year's consumer price index rate, whichever is greater.
Carley Brierre, a spokeswoman with Elizabeth River Crossings, said the base toll for peak rates can increase an additional 2% each year until 2026.
Some Portsmouth business owners fear this might have an impact on their customers and whether or not they will make the trip to their city.
"It's hard enough getting people to come here at this rate, and now it's going up?" questioned one business owner. "It's terrible."
There is help available for those struggling to pay the tunnel toll rates.
Elizabeth River Crossings executives extended their Toll Relief Program to include Hampton Roads residents who make $65,000 or less. In the past, this number used to be $50,000 or less.
If accepted, drivers can enroll their cars and their EZ-Pass transponder to get a 50% discount on trips through the tunnels.
However, there is a set limit on how many trips drivers can take with the discount, as it is capped at 14 trips per week, also up from 10 trips per week.
"I leave the city four times every day, so you can imagine what I'm paying at this point," said one resident.
Those looking to enroll in the program can do so in person by traveling to the EZ-Pass locations found in both Portsmouth and Norfolk.