(The Center Square) – Virginia will begin replacing the aging Norris Bridge eight years ahead of schedule under a new infrastructure plan backed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

The project, including construction and preliminary engineering work, is expected to cost more than $400 million. It will rebuild the 1.9-mile span connecting Lancaster and Middlesex counties, a key route for more than 7,500 drivers daily.

Built in 1957, the current bridge lacks shoulders and has narrow lanes, prompting long-standing safety concerns. A sudden closure could force an 85-mile detour.

Its aging design has made it one of the most closely watched bridges in the region. A previous report stated that the existing bridge is “continuously subject to a patchwork of emergency repairs and routine maintenance and does not meet current structural standards.” The report also notes that because the structure is in a saltwater environment, it deteriorates more rapidly than land-based bridges.

Lawmakers approved a new funding mechanism this year that lets Virginia borrow up to $1 billion for urgent bridge replacements, including Norris, and tunnels across the commonwealth. The law allows the state to issue up to $200 million in bonds each year, targeting “special structures” that are costly and critical to regional travel.  

Youngkin said the bridge will “help keep travelers safe for the next century and drive growth for local communities.”

“It is time to build a modern bridge that will serve the communities of the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula for the next 100 years,” said Youngkin in a statement. “Today we are accelerating construction of a new Norris Bridge to meet the daily travel needs of residents and businesses, and to welcome visitors to these scenic waterfront regions. Through this action, people will be driving over the new bridge almost a decade sooner than expected.”  

The new bridge will include wider lanes, shoulders, and higher guardrails, as well as upgrades that bring it in line with modern safety standards.

Preliminary work, including soil samplings, environmental review, and location studies is underway to determine the best site and foundation for the new bridge. Right-of-way acquisition will begin only after those reviews are complete.

The existing bridge is rated in fair condition and has undergone multiple repairs in recent years, including a $7.1 million steel rehabilitation project to maintain structural integrity.

Sen. Ryan McDougle, who introduced the bill, said the project reflects a broader push to improve bridges and tunnels across Virginia, adding: “Even if you live miles from one of these tunnels or bridges, the benefits will be experienced by us all.” 

Senate Bill 1082 passed with broad bipartisan support and creates a long-term strategy for replacing major structures before they become safety liabilities.

Construction is set to begin in 2028, and the current bridge will be demolished only after the new bridge is open. 

(The Center Square) – Virginia dropped from 22nd place to 32nd in the 2025 edition of Rich States, Poor States, a national economic outlook report released Tuesday by the American Legislative Exchange Council.

The annual ranking evaluates states based on 15 forward-looking policy measures tied to tax rates, government spending, and labor policies. This year’s drop ties Virginia with Mississippi for the steepest decline in the country.

“Virginia is becoming more uncompetitive with personal income tax as other states cut and Virginia’s stays the same,” the report states.

Virginia received no boost from recent legislative changes – ALEC ranks the state 37th in that category. It also reported a rise in debt service, now at 5% of total tax revenue, placing Virginia 33rd nationally for that metric.

Property tax burdens remain high, ranking 31st, and overall tax burdens rank 36th. ALEC says this combination discourages investment and job creation.

Despite retaining its right-to-work status – ranked first by ALEC for promoting labor flexibility – Virginia lags in several other areas the report prioritizes for economic competitiveness. The state’s top marginal personal income tax rate remains at 5.75%, a level unchanged since 2005, despite a growing trend among other states to reduce or eliminate income taxes altogether.

Virginia applies this top rate to all income above $17,000, which ALEC says creates a disincentive for upward mobility and job growth.

Virginia’s debt service costs – now consuming 5% of tax revenue – also drew attention in the report, which ranked the state 33rd in this category. ALEC warns that rising debt obligations can limit long-term budget flexibility and crowd out spending on priorities like infrastructure and education.

The report also flagged Virginia’s population loss, ranking the state 39th in culmative domestic migration from 2014 to 2023, with a net loss of more than 146,000 residents. ALEC interprets this trend as a sign that individuals may be relocating to states with lower taxes or more favorable business climates.

While Virginia’s total population has continued to grow – reaching 8.8 million in 2024 – the report focuses on net domestic migration, which tracks how many residents moved into or out of a state compared to others. This metric showed Virginia losing more residents than it gained over the past decade, a trend ALEC links to tax burdens and the business climate.

Neighboring states like North Carolina and Tennessee, which ranked in ALEC’s top five for economic outlook, have pursued aggressive tax reforms and seen stronger population and job growth in recent years.