{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/56-543.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/56-543.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/56-543.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/56-543.html"}],"law_id":85165,"edition_id":1,"section_id":85165,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-543","catch_line":"Powers and duties of roadway operator","history":"1988, c. 649; 1991, c. 272; 1993, c. 732.","full_text":"A\n\nThe operator shall have all power allowed by law generally to persons having the same form of organization as the operator, including, without limitation, the authority to operate the roadway and charge tolls for the use thereof, and may pledge any revenue net of operational expenses realized from tolls charged for the use of the roadway in order to secure repayment of any obligations incurred for the construction, enlargement or operation of such roadway. Any financing of the acquisition, construction, enlargement, or operation of the roadway may be in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the operator to provide for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, and operation of the roadway, issuance costs, other financing obligations, and reasonable reserves. The Commonwealth shall not obligate its full faith and credit on any financing of the operator. Assumption of operation of the project shall not obligate the Commonwealth to pay any obligation of the operator whether secured or otherwise, from sources other than toll revenue. Subject to applicable permit requirements, the operator shall have the authority to cross any canal or navigable watercourse so long as the crossing does not unreasonably interfere with navigation and use of the waterway. In operating the roadway, the operator may:1\n\nClassify traffic according to reasonable categories for assessment of tolls; and2\n\nWith the consent of the Department, make and enforce reasonable regulations, including regulations:\n\t\t\t\ta. Which set maximum and minimum speeds that shall conform to Department and state practices;\n\t\t\t\tb. Which exclude undesirable vehicles or cargoes or materials from the use of the roadway; or\n\t\t\t\tc. Which establish commuter lanes for use during all or any part of a day and limit the use of such lanes to certain traffic.3\n\nThe enumeration of powers in this subsection shall not limit the power of the operator to do anything it deems necessary and appropriate in the operation of the roadway, provided that the practice is reasonable and nondiscriminatory. The powers granted to the operator in this subsection shall not be deemed to limit the authority of the Commission to regulate the operator under this title.B\n\nThe operator shall have the following duties:1\n\nIt shall file and maintain at all times with the Commission an accurate schedule of rates charged to the public for use of all or any portion of the roadway and it shall also file and maintain a statement that such rates will apply uniformly to all users within any such reasonable classification as the operator may elect to implement. These rates shall be neither applied nor collected in a discriminatory fashion, and free vehicular passage shall be permitted to those persons referred to in subsection A of § 33.2-613.2\n\nIt shall construct and maintain the roadway for anticipated use according to appropriate standards of the Department for public highways operated and maintained by the Department, and enlarge or expand the road when unsatisfied demand for use of the roadway makes it economically feasible to do so. The operator shall agree with the Department for inspection of construction work by the Department at appropriate times during any construction or enlargement. In addition, it shall cooperate fully with the Department in establishing any interconnection with the roadway that the Department may make.3\n\nIt shall contract with the Commonwealth for enforcement of the traffic and public safety laws by state authorities, and may similarly contract with appropriate local authorities for those portions of the roadway within the local jurisdiction.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":305162,"text":"The operator shall have all power allowed by law generally to persons having the same form of organization as the operator, including, without limitation, the authority to operate the roadway and charge tolls for the use thereof, and may pledge any revenue net of operational expenses realized from tolls charged for the use of the roadway in order to secure repayment of any obligations incurred for the construction, enlargement or operation of such roadway. Any financing of the acquisition, construction, enlargement, or operation of the roadway may be in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the operator to provide for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, and operation of the roadway, issuance costs, other financing obligations, and reasonable reserves. The Commonwealth shall not obligate its full faith and credit on any financing of the operator. Assumption of operation of the project shall not obligate the Commonwealth to pay any obligation of the operator whether secured or otherwise, from sources other than toll revenue. Subject to applicable permit requirements, the operator shall have the authority to cross any canal or navigable watercourse so long as the crossing does not unreasonably interfere with navigation and use of the waterway. In operating the roadway, the operator may:","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":305163,"text":"Classify traffic according to reasonable categories for assessment of tolls; and","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":305164,"text":"With the consent of the Department, make and enforce reasonable regulations, including regulations:\n\t\t\t\ta. Which set maximum and minimum speeds that shall conform to Department and state practices;\n\t\t\t\tb. Which exclude undesirable vehicles or cargoes or materials from the use of the roadway; or\n\t\t\t\tc. Which establish commuter lanes for use during all or any part of a day and limit the use of such lanes to certain traffic.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":305165,"text":"The enumeration of powers in this subsection shall not limit the power of the operator to do anything it deems necessary and appropriate in the operation of the roadway, provided that the practice is reasonable and nondiscriminatory. The powers granted to the operator in this subsection shall not be deemed to limit the authority of the Commission to regulate the operator under this title.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":305166,"text":"The operator shall have the following duties:","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3","next_prefix":"B1"},"5":{"id":305167,"text":"It shall file and maintain at all times with the Commission an accurate schedule of rates charged to the public for use of all or any portion of the roadway and it shall also file and maintain a statement that such rates will apply uniformly to all users within any such reasonable classification as the operator may elect to implement. These rates shall be neither applied nor collected in a discriminatory fashion, and free vehicular passage shall be permitted to those persons referred to in subsection A of § 33.2-613.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"B1","prefix_anchor":"B1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"B2"},"6":{"id":305168,"text":"It shall construct and maintain the roadway for anticipated use according to appropriate standards of the Department for public highways operated and maintained by the Department, and enlarge or expand the road when unsatisfied demand for use of the roadway makes it economically feasible to do so. The operator shall agree with the Department for inspection of construction work by the Department at appropriate times during any construction or enlargement. In addition, it shall cooperate fully with the Department in establishing any interconnection with the roadway that the Department may make.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"B2","prefix_anchor":"B2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B1","next_prefix":"B3"},"7":{"id":305169,"text":"It shall contract with the Commonwealth for enforcement of the traffic and public safety laws by state authorities, and may similarly contract with appropriate local authorities for those portions of the roadway within the local jurisdiction.","type":"section","prefixes":["B","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"B3","prefix_anchor":"B3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"B2"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14616,"edition_id":1,"name":"Virginia Highway Corporation Act of 1988","identifier":"20","label":"chapter","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12881,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:48:55","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:48:55","permalink":{"id":250407,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14616,"identifier":"20","token":"56\/20","url":"\/56\/20\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12881,"edition_id":1,"name":"Public Service Companies","identifier":"56","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:58","permalink":{"id":248473,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12881,"identifier":"56","token":"56","url":"\/56\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":70009,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-535","catch_line":"Title","url":"\/56-535\/","token":"56\/20\/56-535","metadata":false},{"id":75006,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-536","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/56-536\/","token":"56\/20\/56-536","metadata":false},{"id":82021,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-537","catch_line":"Construction of highways and use of public funds in the public interest","url":"\/56-537\/","token":"56\/20\/56-537","metadata":false},{"id":63437,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-538","catch_line":"Prerequisite for construction and operation","url":"\/56-538\/","token":"56\/20\/56-538","metadata":false},{"id":64175,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-539","catch_line":"Certificate of authority","url":"\/56-539\/","token":"56\/20\/56-539","metadata":false},{"id":65271,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-540","catch_line":"Application","url":"\/56-540\/","token":"56\/20\/56-540","metadata":false},{"id":64565,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-541","catch_line":"Eminent domain","url":"\/56-541\/","token":"56\/20\/56-541","metadata":false},{"id":64762,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-542","catch_line":"Powers of the Commission","url":"\/56-542\/","token":"56\/20\/56-542","metadata":false},{"id":85165,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-543","catch_line":"Powers and duties of roadway operator","url":"\/56-543\/","token":"56\/20\/56-543","metadata":false},{"id":58147,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-544","catch_line":"Board approval; inspection agreement with Department","url":"\/56-544\/","token":"56\/20\/56-544","metadata":false},{"id":72530,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-545","catch_line":"Insurance; sovereign immunity","url":"\/56-545\/","token":"56\/20\/56-545","metadata":false},{"id":56152,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-546","catch_line":"Local approvals","url":"\/56-546\/","token":"56\/20\/56-546","metadata":false},{"id":78880,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-547","catch_line":"Utility crossings","url":"\/56-547\/","token":"56\/20\/56-547","metadata":false},{"id":59529,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-548","catch_line":"Highway and roadway crossings","url":"\/56-548\/","token":"56\/20\/56-548","metadata":false},{"id":68873,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-549","catch_line":"Default","url":"\/56-549\/","token":"56\/20\/56-549","metadata":false},{"id":59033,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-550","catch_line":"Police powers; violations of law","url":"\/56-550\/","token":"56\/20\/56-550","metadata":false},{"id":71856,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-551","catch_line":"Termination of certificate; dedication of assets","url":"\/56-551\/","token":"56\/20\/56-551","metadata":false},{"id":62323,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-552","catch_line":"Improvement Fund","url":"\/56-552\/","token":"56\/20\/56-552","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":64762,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-542","catch_line":"Powers of the Commission","url":"\/56-542\/","token":"56\/20\/56-542","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":58147,"structure_id":14616,"section_number":"56-544","catch_line":"Board approval; inspection agreement with Department","url":"\/56-544\/","token":"56\/20\/56-544","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/56-543\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1988. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 649 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1988 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1991, chapter 272; in 1993, chapter 732.<\/p>","references":[{"id":75794,"section_number":"33.2-613","catch_line":"Free use of toll facilities by certain state officers and employees; penalties","order_by":null,"url":"\/33.2-613\/"},{"id":62323,"section_number":"56-552","catch_line":"Improvement Fund","order_by":null,"url":"\/56-552\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":250441,"object_type":"law","relational_id":85165,"identifier":"56-543","token":"56\/20\/56-543","url":"\/56-543\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/56-543\/","token":"56\/20\/56-543","dublin_core":{"Title":"Powers and duties of roadway operator","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 56-543","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> The operator<\/span> shall have all power allowed by law<\/span> generally to persons<\/span> having the same form of organization as the operator<\/span>, including, without limitation, the authority to operate the roadway<\/span> and charge tolls<\/span> for the use thereof, and may pledge any revenue net of operational expenses realized from tolls<\/span> charged for the use of the roadway<\/span> in order<\/span> to secure repayment of any obligations incurred for the construction, enlargement or operation<\/span> of such roadway<\/span>. Any financing of the acquisition, construction, enlargement, or operation<\/span> of the roadway<\/span> may be in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as may be deemed necessary or appropriate by the operator<\/span> to provide for the acquisition, construction, enlargement, and operation<\/span> of the roadway<\/span>, issuance costs, other financing obligations, and reasonable reserves. The Commonwealth shall not obligate its full faith and credit on any financing of the operator<\/span>. Assumption of operation<\/span> of the project shall not obligate the Commonwealth to pay any obligation of the operator<\/span> whether secured or otherwise, from sources other than toll<\/span> revenue. Subject to applicable permit requirements, the operator<\/span> shall have the authority to cross any canal or navigable watercourse so long as the crossing does not unreasonably interfere with navigation and use of the waterway. In operating the roadway<\/span>, the operator<\/span> may: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Classify traffic according to reasonable categories for assessment of tolls<\/span>; and <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> With the consent of the Department<\/span>, make and enforce reasonable regulations, including regulations:\n\t\t\t\ta. Which set maximum and minimum speeds that shall conform to Department<\/span> and state practices;\n\t\t\t\tb. Which exclude undesirable vehicles or cargoes or materials<\/span> from the use of the roadway<\/span>; or\n\t\t\t\tc. Which establish commuter lanes for use during all or any part of a day and limit the use of such lanes to certain traffic. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> The enumeration of powers in this subsection shall not limit the power of the operator<\/span> to do anything it deems necessary and appropriate in the operation<\/span> of the roadway<\/span>, provided that the practice is reasonable and nondiscriminatory. The powers granted to the operator<\/span> in this subsection shall not be deemed to limit the authority of the Commission<\/span> to regulate the operator<\/span> under this title. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> The operator<\/span> shall have the following duties: <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> It shall file and maintain at all times with the Commission<\/span> an accurate schedule of rates<\/span> charged to the public for use of all or any portion of the roadway<\/span> and it shall also file and maintain a statement that such rates<\/span> will apply uniformly to all users within any such reasonable classification as the operator<\/span> may elect to implement. These rates<\/span> shall be neither applied nor collected in a discriminatory fashion, and free vehicular passage shall be permitted to those persons<\/span> referred to in subsection A of § 33.2-613<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> It shall construct and maintain the roadway<\/span> for anticipated use according to appropriate standards of the Department<\/span> for public highways<\/span> operated and maintained by the Department<\/span>, and enlarge or expand the road when unsatisfied demand for use of the roadway<\/span> makes it economically feasible to do so. The operator<\/span> shall agree with the Department<\/span> for inspection of construction work by the Department<\/span> at appropriate times during any construction or enlargement. In addition, it shall cooperate fully with the Department<\/span> in establishing any interconnection with the roadway<\/span> that the Department<\/span> may make. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> It shall contract<\/span> with the Commonwealth for enforcement of the traffic and public safety laws<\/span> by state authorities, and may similarly contract<\/span> with appropriate local authorities for those portions of the roadway<\/span> within the local jurisdiction<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nPOWERS AND DUTIES OF ROADWAY OPERATOR (\u00a7 56-543)\n\nA. The operator shall have all power allowed by law generally to persons having\nthe same form of organization as the operator, including, without limitation,\nthe authority to operate the roadway and charge tolls for the use thereof, and\nmay pledge any revenue net of operational expenses realized from tolls charged\nfor the use of the roadway in order to secure repayment of any obligations\nincurred for the construction, enlargement or operation of such roadway. Any\nfinancing of the acquisition, construction, enlargement, or operation of the\nroadway may be in such amounts and upon such terms and conditions as may be\ndeemed necessary or appropriate by the operator to provide for the acquisition,\nconstruction, enlargement, and operation of the roadway, issuance costs, other\nfinancing obligations, and reasonable reserves. The Commonwealth shall not\nobligate its full faith and credit on any financing of the operator. Assumption\nof operation of the project shall not obligate the Commonwealth to pay any\nobligation of the operator whether secured or otherwise, from sources other than\ntoll revenue. Subject to applicable permit requirements, the operator shall have\nthe authority to cross any canal or navigable watercourse so long as the\ncrossing does not unreasonably interfere with navigation and use of the\nwaterway. In operating the roadway, the operator may:\n\n 1. Classify traffic according to reasonable categories for assessment of\n tolls; and\n\n 2. With the consent of the Department, make and enforce reasonable\n regulations, including regulations:\n \t\t\t\ta. Which set maximum and minimum speeds that shall conform to Department\n and state practices;\n \t\t\t\tb. Which exclude undesirable vehicles or cargoes or materials from the use\n of the roadway; or\n \t\t\t\tc. Which establish commuter lanes for use during all or any part of a day\n and limit the use of such lanes to certain traffic.\n\n 3. The enumeration of powers in this subsection shall not limit the power of\n the operator to do anything it deems necessary and appropriate in the\n operation of the roadway, provided that the practice is reasonable and\n nondiscriminatory. The powers granted to the operator in this subsection shall\n not be deemed to limit the authority of the Commission to regulate the\n operator under this title.\n\nB. The operator shall have the following duties:\n\n 1. It shall file and maintain at all times with the Commission an accurate\n schedule of rates charged to the public for use of all or any portion of the\n roadway and it shall also file and maintain a statement that such rates will\n apply uniformly to all users within any such reasonable classification as the\n operator may elect to implement. These rates shall be neither applied nor\n collected in a discriminatory fashion, and free vehicular passage shall be\n permitted to those persons referred to in subsection A of § 33.2-613.\n\n 2. It shall construct and maintain the roadway for anticipated use according\n to appropriate standards of the Department for public highways operated and\n maintained by the Department, and enlarge or expand the road when unsatisfied\n demand for use of the roadway makes it economically feasible to do so. The\n operator shall agree with the Department for inspection of construction work\n by the Department at appropriate times during any construction or enlargement.\n In addition, it shall cooperate fully with the Department in establishing any\n interconnection with the roadway that the Department may make.\n\n 3. It shall contract with the Commonwealth for enforcement of the traffic and\n public safety laws by state authorities, and may similarly contract with\n appropriate local authorities for those portions of the roadway within the\n local jurisdiction.\n\nHISTORY: 1988, c. 649; 1991, c. 272; 1993, c. 732.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}