one-way eastbound from Portsmouth to Norfolk and the new 2-lane tunnel carried westbound traffic from Norfolk to Portsmouth. Rehabilitation work began in the existing tunnel after the new tunnel was opened. The new, westbound tunnel opened to traffic at 1:40pm EDT on June 17, 2016, with rehabilitation on the eastbound tunnel completed on September 1, 2017. Tolling As a part of the funding structure for the project, tolls were established by ERC. Tolls were originally scheduled to begin in late-summer 2012 (in conjunction with ERC assuming operation and maintenance duties in July 2012), however the McDonnell administration authorized a $100 million buydown suspension of the tolls until January 2014. This also gave time for a civil lawsuit to work its way to the Virginia Supreme Court who ruled on the case in November 2013, allowing tolling to begin in February 2014. It will continue through April 13, 2070. Tolls were originally scheduled to begin at rates of $1.59/non-peak hours and $1.84/peak for cars and $4.77/non-peak and $7.34/peak for heavy vehicles. However, as part of an agreement with ERC, Governor Terry McAuliffe and VDOT agreed to pay ERC $82 million to reduce the toll rates to 75¢/off-peak and $1/peak for cars, and $1.50/off-peak and $4.00/peak heavy vehicles in 2014, with a 25¢ increase every year until the new Midtown Tunnel opens (or until the end of 2017), at which time the toll rates would then return to their originally scheduled rates. After that, rates will increase annually by a factor equal to the greater of changes to Consumer Price Index or 3.5 percent. Notes References External links Roads to the Future website VDOT Official Website Elizabeth River Tunnels Official Website Video on Tolls Road tunnels in Virginia Toll tunnels in Virginia Intracoastal Waterway Transportation in Norfolk, Virginia Transportation in Portsmouth, Virginia Tunnels completed in 1962 U.S. Route 58 Immersed tube tunnels in the United States