City

Richmond area tolls are going up in September

The Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority cited pandemic recovery in its vote to increase tolls for the Downtown Expressway, Powhite Parkway, and Nickel Bridge

May 10, 2023 • 
Robin Schwartzkopf
RICtoday_Aerial_DowntownExpressway

Toll increases will go into effect September 1.

Photo by @takeone.aerial

It’s official — tolls will increase on the Downtown Expressway, Powhite Parkway, and the Nickel Bridge. The Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority board voted for the new rates at its Tuesday, May 9 meeting.

Here’s how rates will change:

  • Downtown Expressway | From 70 cents to 90 cents for E-ZPass, $1 cash
  • Powhite Parkway | From 70 cents to 90 for E-ZPass, $1 cash
  • Nickel Bridge | From 35 cents to 45 cents for E-ZPass, 50 cents cash

On three ramps — Douglasdale Road (Powhite), 2nd Street (Expressway), and 11th Street (Expressway) — the toll will increase from 20 cents to 45/50 cents for E-ZPass/cash.
The change will go into effect on Friday, Sept. 1.

The increase comes after three years of declining revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. RMTA is also planning to upgrade collection machines and repair several aging bridges.