On the recent CBBT bill:
Senate Bill 192 has been rewritten and will be available to the public
tomorrow hopefully before 2 p.m. (please visit the website periodically for an
updated link to the newly drafted text). In advance of seeing the actual
language,
I've been told the main provisions of the revised bill will include: 1.The
CBBT commission will remain independent. 2.The CBBT will be a sibling to the
HRBTA (Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Authority). 3.The make-up of the CBBT
commission will change from the current 4 Eastern Shore members out of 11 (36%
representation) to 3 Eastern Shore members out of 7 (43% - an increase in
representation). The original version of SB192 was one Eastern Shore member out
of 11
(only 9% representation). 4.The parallel tunnels will be built as previously
planned. 5.Reversion of the CBBT to the State will not occur now until the
tunnels
are 1) complete and 2) the bonds paid off in full which will occur sometime
between 2043 and 2050 (reversion could have occurred when current bonds are
paid
in the next 4 years without the tunnels being built per the original language
of SB192.) 6.A very small toll contribution based on average tolls of the
HRBTA traffic will be collected from the CBBT to the HRBTA if tolls are ever
even
placed on the other crossings. This contribution will be measured in pennies,
and can never exceed more than $1 per vehicle (and the CBBT would not have to
raise tolls for this $0.00 to $1.00 dollar window). It could take three to
five years before Hampton Roads could get tolls approved. And if Hampton Roads
residents fight against future tolls and none are instituted, then the CBBT
would never have to pay this small contribution.
We all may have preferred maintaining the status quo for the CBBT and we may
have reservations about the new changes. However, given the widespread desire
for regional transportation solutions, the CBBT was bound to be thrust into
this debate. The revised bill is significantly better than the original.
Politically speaking, this bill is as good as we could reasonably expect to
achieve
and SB192 should now be supported.
