Toll collection on George P. Coleman Bridge to be eliminated months ahead of schedule providing financial relief to Virginia commuters
Yorktown, Virginia – In a move set to deliver significant economic relief to thousands of Virginians, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced that toll collection on the Route 17 George P. Coleman Bridge will end on the evening of August 8, 2025—almost five months earlier than the original January 1, 2026 deadline. This early removal follows the General Assembly’s approval of Governor Youngkin’s budget amendment, which called for the elimination of tolls on the bridge.
“Eliminating tolls on the Coleman Bridge is more than just a financial decision, it’s a commitment to easing the burden on families, commuters, and local businesses who rely on this vital connection every day,” said Governor Youngkin. “By removing this toll, we are putting nearly $60 million back into the pockets of hardworking Virginians, allowing them to keep more of their hard-earned money and strengthen our local economy.”
Economic and Practical Benefits for Commuters
The tolls, collected from northbound traffic traveling from York County to Gloucester County, currently generate almost $6 million annually—nearly half of which is spent solely on toll collection operations. The original bond debt from the 1996 bridge expansion has been fully repaid, but $29.6 million in remaining debt to the state’s Toll Facility Revolving Account would have required tolling through at least 2034, costing drivers more than $60 million.
Virginia Secretary of Transportation W. Sheppard Miller III emphasized that continuing tolls would require replacing aging infrastructure at a cost of nearly $5 million. “There are extensive costs required to continue tolling, and we believe that the toll money collected would be better off in the hands of taxpayers,” Miller said.
By waiving repayment of the remaining debt, the Commonwealth avoids these costs and eliminates the need for further toll infrastructure investments, redirecting the financial benefit directly to local communities.
Community Leaders Applaud the Decision
Several lawmakers praised the Governor’s decision, highlighting its impact on residents in Gloucester, Mathews, and surrounding areas. Senate Republican Leader Ryan T. McDougle called it “a win for Gloucester, Mathews, and our entire region,” while Senator J.D. “Danny” Diggs noted the historical significance, recalling that tolls had once been removed in 1976 after the original debt was paid. Delegate W. Chad Green, Sr. described the move as “fiscally responsible,” and Delegate M. Keith Hodges stressed its role in fostering economic development and job growth.
Transition Plan for Ending Toll Operations
Weather permitting, removal of toll signage will begin at 9 p.m. on August 8, requiring an overnight single-lane closure northbound on Route 17 and a traffic shift. The two left toll lanes will be closed, and vehicles will use the remaining three lanes until the toll plaza is fully demolished.
A Bridge with Historic and Engineering Significance
The George P. Coleman Bridge, first opened in 1952 as a toll bridge, initially charged fees to cover construction costs, ending tolling in 1976. In 1996, after a major expansion from two to four lanes, tolling was reinstated to fund the project and cover operating expenses. Today, it stands as the largest double-swing span bridge in the United States, stretching 3,750 feet across the York River and serving as a critical link between Gloucester Point and Yorktown.
The decision to end toll collection early not only marks a historic policy change but also underscores the Commonwealth’s effort to make life more affordable, support regional economies, and improve quality of life for all Virginians.
