“We’re committed to working collaboratively to identify and prioritize projects, technologies and policies that will improve safety and expand capacity along the I-81 corridor,” Vassey said. “However, we cannot support tolling of existing interstates and/or truck-only tolling.”

Vassey said the overwhelming majority of manufacturers along I-81 receive raw goods and ship finished products via commercial trucks.

“Investments are already being held today by companies on this corridor just by the threat of I-81 tolling,” Vassey said. “To be clear, we do not have to pay a toll. We will just move production to another operation. … We have choices, and we are a mobile industry. If the economics don’t work, we will move production to a location where they do. If we don’t have a choice — like our small and medium companies — it just makes them less competitive.”

Earlier this month, the Richmond-based Alliance for Toll Free Interstates renewed its opposition to the plan by submitting a letter to Valentine’s office.