May 2, 2008 -- Southbound Powhite Parkway lanes to shift

Motorists should be advised of a significant traffic shift beginning today along the Powhite Parkway southbound travel lanes immediately after the new southbound toll plaza. Travel lanes will be reduced from four to three as drivers approach the Chesterfield County line. Those wishing to exit southbound onto Chippenham Parkway should remain in the far left lane after going through the toll booths to allow for an easier exit.

This traffic situation will be in place for approximately eight weeks, with additional shifts occurring throughout the construction period. Drivers should remain alert and observe electronic signage, as well as posted speed limits.

April 24, 2008 -- Forest Hill Powhite Parkway on-ramp to reopen tonight at 8 p.m.

The eastbound Forest Hill Avenue to northbound Powhite Parkway ramp, will reopen to traffic beginning tonight, Thursday, April 24, at 8 p.m. The ramp was previously closed due to construction along the exit ramp and the retaining wall.

April 15, 2008 -- RMA votes for new Boulevard Bridge, off-ramp toll schedule effective Sept. 8

The Richmond Metropolitan Authority (RMA) Board  of Directors, during its regularly scheduled board meeting today, voted to increase toll rates along the Boulevard Bridge and RMA Expressway System on- and off-ramps at Forest Hill Avenue, Douglasdale Road, and Second and Eleventh Streets. The Board’s decision, based upon the recommendation of the Authority’s staff, engineers and traffic and revenue consultants, follows last month’s vote to increase toll rates along the RMA’s two mainline toll plazas – the Powhite Parkway and Downtown Expressway. The Authority’s last toll increase was a decade ago.

The Boulevard Bridge toll rate will increase on Sept. 8 to 35 cents for all two-axle vehicles. The following ramp rates will also rise on Sept. 8:

• Forest Hill Avenue to 70 cents

• Douglasdale Road to 20 cents

• Second Street to 35 cents

• Eleventh Street to 30 cents

The Bridge and related toll ramps are all part of the total revenue stream for the RMA Expressway System, in addition to the Powhite Parkway and Downtown Expressway.

Revenues from the adjusted tolls will go toward future maintenance and capital improvement projects. It is estimated that continued maintenance and capital improvements to the entire RMA Expressway System for the next 10 years will reach $80 million.

Since 1998, operating and maintenance expenses have increased by 56 percent as a result of rising prices of materials such as concrete, asphalt and steel.

The RMA receives no federal or state tax dollars. Its funding comes strictly from user fees in the form of tolls. In addition, the RMA’s several bond resolutions prohibit the commingling funds of various projects. For example, tolls collected on the Expressway System cannot and do not subsidize operations of The Diamond or the parking facilities.

Since 1998, the RMA has invested more than $61 million in capital improvements along the Expressway System, including the implementation of Smart Tag (now E-ZPass), widening of the Powhite Parkway roadway, application of asphalt overlays on a majority of the RMA’s 45 lane miles, as well as other routine facility maintenance items.