The state House today passed a bill that bars the tolling of existing Interstate 95 lanes.

Democrat Michael Wray who represents Halifax and Northampton counties as well as Democrat Elmer Floyd who represents Cumberland County, Republican Jeff Collins who represents Franklin and Nash counties and Gaston County Republican John Torbett sponsored House Bill 267.

News of the 113-0 passage of the bill is good news, said Allen Purser, president and CEO of the Roanoke Valley Chamber of Commerce. “It was a big time team effort. It was a lot of work but it was good.”

Passage of the bill, Wray said, was crucial to existing lanes of the highway not being tolled. “I think it says a lot, that we don’t want to put the burden on our local people.”

While the bill forbids the tolling of existing lanes, it would allow any additional lanes to be tolled. “It doesn’t mean it will be tolled any time soon,” Wray said. “It means they won’t be able to toll the existing north and south lanes. I think it’s a win-win situation, DOT is OK with it.”

Wray said he believes the bill has good support on the Senate side.

News of the bill’s passage comes as the state Department of Transportation plans another round of meetings on the tolling issue next week.