The Virginia House of Delegates passed legislation Feb. 10 that would enable the state to toll all vehicles using Interstate 81. Current state law permits tolling of trucks only.

House lawmakers passed the bill by a vote of 76-22. The measure now heads to the Senate.

HB905, sponsored by Delegate Leo Wardrup, R-Virginia Beach, is essential to one road-building consortium’s plan for widening the highway, The Roanoke Times reported.

Without such legislation, the state cannot consider Fluor Virginia’s proposal to widen most of the interstate to six lanes under a public-private partnership law. Fluor’s $7 billion financing plan relies on tolls collected from all vehicles using the Virginia portion of the interstate.

A competing $13 billion proposal from Star Solutions would widen the interstate to eight lanes, separate car and truck traffic, and impose tolls on trucks only.

State lawmakers passed legislation in 2002 to permit tolling of trucks on I-81.

Wardrup told the newspaper expanded tolling authority is needed to create a “level playing field” for the two consortiums bidding for the widening project.

“Without it, we’re in a position of negotiating with one arm tied behind our back,” he said.

A Virginia Department of Transportation advisory panel is evaluating the I-81 widening proposals and will make a recommendation to the department.