Enrollment Opens For Toll Relief Program

RICHMOND - Since its inception in 2017, a program designed to help ease the financial burden of tolls has distributed approximately $1.3 million in toll relief to qualified Norfolk and Portsmouth residents who travel regularly through the Downtown and Midtown tunnels.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) today announced that enrollment for the 2020 Toll Relief Program will be held from Dec. 2, 2019, to Feb. 15, 2020, for toll relief benefits that begin March 1, 2020. Applicants must bring proof of income and residency in person to the E-ZPass Customer Service Center in either Norfolk or Portsmouth.

To qualify for Toll Relief, participants must:

• Reside in Norfolk or Portsmouth
• One of the following is required for proof of residency:
• Driver’s license
• Utility, telephone or cable bill
• Checking or savings account statement
• Property tax bill
• Mortgage or proof of home ownership
• Rental contract
• Military documentation confirming residency
  
  
• Earn $30,000 or less per year
• One of the following is required for proof of income:
• • W-2
• 1099-MISC
• One month of pay stubs
• IRS 1040
• Employer’s statement
• Self-declaration of no income
• Have or open a Virginia E-ZPass account

Once a participant’s Virginia E-ZPass designated transponder records eight or more trips through the Downtown or Midtown tunnels during a calendar month, a 75-cent refund is credited to his or her Virginia E-ZPass account for each trip. There is no limit on the number of discounted trips in a calendar month. Current participants must re-enroll to receive 2020 Toll Relief Program benefits.

Elizabeth River Crossings, operators of the Downtown and Midtown tunnels, is providing the Commonwealth $500,000 a year for 10 years to help offset the cost of tolls on those users most financially stressed. The 2020 Toll Relief Program marks the fourth year.

For more information on Toll Relief, visit www.vdottollrelief.com or call 855-530-5506.