Work begins on tunnel tolls

PORTSMOUTH, Va (WAVY) - Motorists can now see the first sign of tolls at the Downtown Tunnel as workers began construction on the frame work for gantries Thursday morning.

Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth), who has been fighting against the tolls told WAVY.com, "Those gantries going up definitely means there is going to be a toll."

10 On Your Side asked Lucas if that means she's giving up. She answered, "I'm not giving up. My job is to have the tolls lowered to the bare minimum. Fifty cents for me would be fine."

She has all of the next year to work on that. Lawmakers delayed the tolls until 2014 and there's still a lawsuit looming to stop them all together.

Terry Danaher with Citizens For Accountability In Politics told WAVY.com, "The brief is written, we're ready to file it." Danaher wants to know why they're bothering to build before it goes to court.

10 On Your Side called the construction company, Elizabeth River Crossings , to ask. A spokeswoman answered this is the most cost efficient thing to do and said it would cost more to find storage for the gantry, so they're going ahead as planned and basically storing it at the tunnel entrance.

Danaher laughed at that response saying, "I think part of their storage plan is to make people think this is a done deal when it is not a done deal."

Danaher said their lawyer is waiting to see what happens with a similar case filed in Northern Virginia, before they move forward. They also need more money.

She claimed they have collected about $40,000 and need about $100,000 more. She said trucking companies and maritime groups are starting to come forward so they're confident they'll get the cash and the win in court.

Elizabeth River Crossing told WAVY.com the full framework for the toll should be in place by the end of July.

If you would like to donate, send a check to Citizens For Accountability In Politics, 413 Dinwiddie St. Portsmouth, Va., 23704. Make them payable to CAP PAC.