Lawsuit to be filed against tolls

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - A lawsuit against the proposed tolls for the Downtown and Midtown tunnels is expected to be filed in Portsmouth by the end of the week.

State Delegate Kenny Alexander made the announcement about the pending lawsuit during a meeting Monday which hundreds attended.

Many residents at the meeting supported the idea of questioning the legality of tolls in an effort to stop the project.

"That toll is going to be almost $2 each way," said Portsmouth resident Willie Liles. "That's crazy."

Liles works in Norfolk and uses the Downtown Tunnel.

"Everyday, five days a week at least," Liles said.

He says the tolls are going to leave a mark.

"The way things are going already, we are already having to cut back on everything," Liles added.

And he's not alone. Concerned residents are now teaming up with local officials to take the state to court in hopes a judge will cancel the toll deal.

One speaker said, "We're here to make sure that this project not only minimizes the impacts on only Portsmouth residents, but all the residents in Hampton Roads."

Local leaders are bringing in a hired gun. Attorney Patrick McSweeney has fought similar transportation projects and won.

"It's not about the fairness of the agreement and the way it was reached in terms of policy," McSweeney said. "My concern is was it legal?"

He believes the state legislature should have had the chance to vote on the project. Delegates agree.

"We need tunnels, we need bridges, we need roads and expressways," Alexander added. "We need money to maintain them. However, we think this is a flawed contract."

Monday night, Alexander asked resident to become complainants in the pending lawsuit. Dozens of people stepped right up.