I caught the end of this on TV, and went online to see what I missed. Turns out I didn't miss much: several key issues were dodged.

They vaguely threatened that refusing this offer could jeopardize future projects without addressing how paying for this projects jeopardizes the capacity for users to pay their own bills now (with an effective $1000-$1500 income cut for every person who commutes accross the Elizabeth River).

They acknowledged the question of why this project won't simply relocate the bottlenecks to Brambleton and Hampton Blvds, but didn't provide an answer any more substantial than "trust us, it will be better".

They made it clear that the proposal is to toll not only the Midtown but also the Downtown Tunnel before the project is complete, but they didn't address how tolling this existing interstate is illegal under 23 USC 129.

They didn't address the 50-year maintenance & operating contract bundled with the project, or what additional projects or benefit the taxpayers of THIS region might see in exchange for liberating VDOT from that substantial long-term funding obligation.

And while they claimed the project enjoys broad political support because it will have a positive indirect impact on the entire region, the didn't address why none of the cost is being carried by those indirect beneficiaries.

Mark - Thank you for your post. These are all great points. The midtown tunnel project is certainly a topic we plan to revisit in our coming programs. Thanks again for watching and we hope to address these ideas and more in our future shows.