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elizabeth river crossings
Work to continue on Norfolk VA tunnels while state contests judge's ruling tolls unconstitutional
The concessionaire Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC) says it will continue work on the $2 billion modernization of tunnel connections between Norfolk and Portsmouth Virginia despite a Portsmouth circuit court judge's (James A Cales) ruling that the tolls component is unconstitutional.
The state is appealing the decision.
Circuit Court judge in Portsmouth declares P3s in Virginia unconstitutional - nixes tolls at the Portsmouth-Norfolk tunnels
2013-05-02: A judge in Portsmouth Circuit Court in Plymouth VA, James Cales, ruling Wednesday against tolls 
on the Norfolk-Portsmouth tunnels under the Elizabeth River declared that the state's Public Private Transportation Act of 1995 involves an unconstitutional delegation of power to the executive branch.
Floodgate at Midtown Tunnel Norfolk VA kept Sandy closure to less than half a day
2012/11/29: The Midtown Tunnel In Norfolk VA has had a flood gate at its eastern portal since it opened in 1962. A tide 7 foot above average sea level - just 2 or 3 feet above a normal high tide - is enough to cause the approach roads to be inundated, so flooding is a regular concern.
Elizabeth River Crossings now running Downtown, Midtown Tunnels in Norfolk VA
2012-07-21: Since July 13 Elizabeth River Crossings OPCO LLC (ERC) has been running the Downtown and Midtown Tunnels under the estuarial Elizabeth River on the westside of downtown Norfolk Virginia. The tunnels are the Norfolk business district's connection to the city of Portsmouth and suburbs to the west in the Hampton Roads metro area.
Virginia gone to financial close on $2.1b Norfolk crossings P3, compromises on toll timing, coverage
By Peter Samuel on April 20, 2012
Virginia and Elizabeth River Crossings LLC (Skanska & Macquarie) have gone to financial close on the huge $2.1b Norfolk-Plymouth P3 project that will see big improvements in mobility between Norfolk and points on the westside of the estuarial river including new expressway standard connections to Interstates. The financial close stymies late efforts by opportunistic politicians in the state legislature to stall and reshape the project.
Toll projects generate controversy in Virginia
By Peter Samuel on April 9, 2012
In Norfolk there's last minute pressure to defer a financial close on the Elizabeth River tunnels toll concession with the Macquarie/Skanska partnership. And in northern Virginia Fairfax County and Loudoun County are being pressed to defer support for Phase 2 of the Silver Line Metrorail project that is dependent for financing on Dulles Toll Road tolls.
