The George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge, a crucial crossing connecting York County and Gloucester, will stop collecting tolls ahead of schedule, effective 9 p.m. this Friday. This decision, executed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), accelerates the original toll removal date from January 1, 2026, by nearly five months, offering prompt financial relief for thousands of daily commuters.
This move aligns with Governor Glenn Youngkin’s 2025 budget amendment, which advocated for the elimination of tolls on the bridge. The measure was subsequently adopted by the General Assembly. Currently, tolls generate approximately $6 million annually, yet the tolling system has become an unnecessary burden since the bridge’s construction bonds have already been paid in full.
Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller emphasized that continuing toll collection would require significant expenditure—up to $5 million—to maintain aging toll infrastructure. Eliminating tolls now not only alleviates financial strain on residents but also avoids these maintenance costs.
Since its reconstruction in 1995, the tolls—ranging from 85 cents to $4—have been collected solely from northbound traffic heading from York County into Gloucester. The original tolls were abolished in 1976 after the first construction debt was settled, but the 1995 expansion, which widened the bridge from two to four lanes to accommodate rising traffic, reinstated the toll system.
Local officials see the early toll removal as a significant win for the region. Senate Republican Leader Ryan T. McDougle highlighted the benefit of redirecting funds back into the community, stating, “This is a win for Gloucester, Mathews, and the entire region—putting more money into the pockets of hardworking Virginians and easing the daily burden on families relying on this vital connection.”
The bridge, originally opened in 1952, is the largest double-swing span bridge in the United States and serves as a vital conduit for residents and commerce on the Middle Peninsula. Removing tolls not only reduces financial stress but also results in substantial savings for the state in operational and maintenance costs.
Senator Danny Diggs noted that the toll removal is a common-sense decision that benefits all bridge users, recalling the previous toll elimination when the initial debt was paid off. Residents and daily commuters are expected to welcome the change.
In light of inflation and rising living costs, the toll collection—projected to cost drivers over $60 million if continued until 2034—was increasingly seen as an unnecessary financial burden. Legislative leaders like Delegate Chad Green praised Governor Youngkin for working with the General Assembly to expedite this relief.
The toll infrastructure will be dismantled starting Friday, with crews removing signage and closing the toll lanes overnight. Once completed, the traffic pattern will shift to the right lanes, allowing for smooth transit across the York River without tolls.
This strategic decision exemplifies Virginia’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while providing tangible benefits to its residents, underscoring the importance of infrastructural investments that serve the public good.