To the chagrin of Virginia’s conservatives, Republican Gov. Bob McDonald and the Republican-controlled legislature agreed on a five-year transportation bill this month that provides a politically acceptable—and expensive—solution to chronic funding problems that have made planning difficult and PPPs necessary.

The bill bans tolling of I-95 south of Fredericksburg, which had been on Virginia DOT’s list for procurement late this year. Instead, lawmakers approved $880 million per year over five years in new, dedicated taxes from a variety of sources. Separately, the Hampton Roads region and northern Virginia were given the option to increase local taxes.