NORFOLK, Va. — 2025 is fast approaching and when the ball drops on New Year's Eve, another, less-celebrated tradition will also unfold in Hampton Roads: an increase in tolls at the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels.
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.
For E-ZPass riders in passenger vehicles, the tolls will go up 17 cents during peak hours ($3.06 currently to $3.23 in 2025) and 8 cents anytime else ($2.26 currently to $2.34 in 2025).
If you don't have an E-ZPass, you'll pay 23 cents more during non-peak hours ($6.77 to $7.00), and an additional 32 cents more than what you're paying now when traffic is busiest ($7.57 to $7.89).
ERC officials said the extra money helps pay to operate and maintain the tunnels -- which connect the cities of Portsmouth and Norfolk -- the MLK Expressway, and more than 50 lane miles of roadway.
They said it also goes to repaying debts from a $2.1 billion improvement project in 2017.
There is help available for those struggling to pay the tunnel toll rates.
Elizabeth River Crossings' Toll Relief Program includes Hampton Roads residents who make $65,000 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.
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.
