Tourism board puts it in writing: no toll hike
Tourism officials have gone on record with a resolution opposing a proposal to more than double the toll on the Chesapeake Expressway to $5 during peak seasons.
The resolution was passed by the Dare County Tourism Board after Lee Nettles, the managing director of the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau spoke against the toll hike at a public hearing in Chesapeake last week.
Tolls now are $2 for two-axle vehicles.
The route is used heavily by tourists heading to the Outer Banks from Virginia and the northeastern United States.
Commuters and vacationers would be hurt by a toll increase, the resolution said. It said it would unfairly target visitors to the Outer Banks by requiring them to shoulder most of the increase.
It also said that a toll increase would be counter-productive because it would reduce traffic.
The increase to $5 during the peak season and $3 the rest of the time would raise more than $7 million needed for repairs over the next five years according to The Virginian-Pilot.
The tourism board’s chairman, Paul Buske, who is also a Kill Devil Hills commissioner, suggested the resolution.
The Outer Banks Camber of Commerce also wrote a letter asking the Chesapeake City Council to carefully consider any increase and its impact on tourism and commerce between the two states.
On the cover: Chesapeake Expressway webcam.
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Sha Sha says:
“We need that money for Beach nourishment!” Lets get our own toll!!!!!!
jackson says:
Maybe we should put in a toll road that only charges people that come from states with toll roads. It’s only fair.
ekim says:
Ill say it again tollbooths on both bridges commish JUDGE said to me it would come across as mean an people wouldnt come to the beach PIGS FEATHERS!!!