LeMunyon Opposes E-ZPass Fee

Del. Jim LeMunyon (R-67th District) wrote a letter Tuesday opposing the proposed additional fees for E-ZPass users to Virginia's Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton.

"Already, my constituents have written to me explaining how they avoid taking the Toll Road due to the increased tolls," LeMunyon wrote. "Should VDOT impose another fee such as the $1 per month proposed fee, I am certain more of my constituents and other motorists will increasingly avoid the road all together, greatly increasing congestion on surrounding non-toll roads."

The Virginia Department of Transportation is . E-ZPass is the system that allows drivers to pass through toll plazas more quickly by carrying transponders that automatically charge tolls to a registered account.

VDOT has proposed the fee to help defray administrative and operations costs within the state for the service.

In the letter, LeMunyon suggests it would be more appropriate for additional fees to be considered as part of a comprehensive transportation plan in the state budget during the 2013 legislative session, "rather than being decided independently by the Commonwealth Transportation Board in the coming days."

Earlier this month, the . Sen. Janet Howell (D-34th District) also .

VDOT closed public comment on the issue Tuesday. A decision is expected later this month.

Click here to read the letter in its entirety.