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I-95 toll opposition will rally at VDOT meeting Monday night

Posted at 11:27 PM, Dec 09, 2012
and last updated 2012-12-09 23:27:21-05

Sussex County, VA (WTVR) --Leaders for the opposition to Interstate 95 tolls are preparing for their first meeting with Virginia Department of Transportation officials.

The meeting will take place Monday night, at 6:30 p.m., at Sussex Central High School. The opposition plant to rally at 6:00 p.m., ahead of the meeting. 

"We just want to be heard," Frank Jackson, Mayor of Stony Creek, said.

"If these tolls go through we are dead, we might as well get a tombstone," Jackson said.

The current toll proposal puts tolls near mile marker 31 on I-95 in Sussex County. City and business leaders fear cars will take alternate routes or not stop at their establishments.

Cars would be charged four dollars, trucks would be charged $12 dollars.

"How am I suppose to retain workers?," Rex Davis, owner of Davis Travel Center off I-95, said.

VDOT officials and Governor Bob McDonnell have indicated support for the plan because of the anticipated budget deficit VDOT is expected to face in the years to come.

"We've squeezed every dollar we can," McDonnell told CBS 6.

"We've reformed VDOT, we've audited VDOT, we've used bonds, I've done everything I'm able to do right now and it's not enough to solve the problem," McDonnell said.