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May 28,2002 <br /> <br /> Council considered adoption of a Resolution opposing the placing of tolls on <br />trucks as proposed by Star Solutions to fund improvements to Interstate 81. Clark H. <br />Lewis, of Troutman Sanders, stated that Star Solutions proposes to build two additional <br />lanes north and south at a total cost of $8 million to $12 million. The tolls are projected <br />to provide only half of the funding; it is unknown from where the additional funds will <br />come. The County of Henry and the Martinsville-Henry County Chamber of Commerce <br />have already adopted this resolution, Council Members Ferrill and Roop expressed <br />concerns of alternative plans of action to make improvements. Vice Mayor Teague <br />moved to adopt the Resolution and for Staff to prepare a cover letter expressing <br />concerns of the need for improvements; Council Member Ferrill moved to amend the <br />main motion so that the Resolution and the Staff-prepared cover letter be considered at <br />Council's next regular meeting. The secondary motion was duly seconded and <br />defeated by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 2 - 3; Yeas (2) - Dallas, <br />Ferrill; Nays (3) - Crabtree, Roop, Teague. The main motion was duly seconded and <br />carried by the following vote, with all members voting: Vote 4 - 1; Yeas (4) - Crabtree, <br />Ferdll, Roop Teague; Nays (1) - Dallas: <br /> <br /> WHEREAS, a consortium of construction companies, operating as <br /> Star Solutions, has submitted an unsolicited proposal under the <br /> Public Private Transportation Act ("PPTA") to improve Interstate 81 <br /> by creating separate truck toll lanes; and <br /> WHEREAS, no other State in the Nation imposes tolls solely on <br /> trucks for their use of interstate highways; and <br /> WHEREAS, the increased volume of traffic on Interstate 81 has <br /> become a concern and the Commonwealth is exploring a number <br /> of possible solutions; and <br /> WHEREAS, the economic vitality of the City of Martinsville and its <br /> local businesses would be adversely affected by the imposition of <br /> truck-only tolls; and <br /> WHEREAS, the proposed truck tolls do not pay for the entire <br /> project and thus, the cost to the Commonwealth may delay other <br /> <br /> <br />