PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Toll free trips at the Downtown and Midtown tunnels will begin for eligible drivers before the new year, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation. Eligible drivers who have correctly signed up for the benefit, that is. The new state-funded round of toll relief is available for those living in Portsmouth, Norfolk, Newport News, Hampton and Franklin. If you make less than $50,000 a year, you will be eligible to have up to 14 free trips per week. You also could eventually receive forgiveness for outstanding bills and fees owed to Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC.) However you must have an E-ZPass to take advantage of the program and you must apply for the relief in person at one of three specific locations: the Norfolk E-ZPass Customer Service Center off Church Street; the Portsmouth E-ZPass Customer Service Center off Victory Boulevard; or the the DriveERT Customer Care Center in Portsmouth. $101M in free tolls are coming to Hampton Roads. Who will be able to benefit? Tuesday, following a meeting with Portsmouth City Council, State Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) emphasized the importance of spreading the word about the new toll relief. "[It's] one of the most crucial pieces of information we can get out to the citizens because a lot of people don't know how to go out and apply for it," Lucas said. Lucas, who chairs the Senate Finance & Appropriations committee, championed the effort to include $101 million for toll relief in the state's current two-year budget. She said while her ultimate goal is to eliminate the charge to go between Norfolk and Portsmouth, this is "going to be a start." Since 2014, the Commonwealth of Virginia has let Elizabeth River Crossings, a privately-owned company, set toll rates on both the Downtown and Midtown tunnels. The deal struck during Gov. Bob McDonnell's administration was done to allow for the financing of a new Midtown tunnel tube and construction of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Expressway. However, drivers and elected leaders alike have often ridiculed language in ERC’s contract with the state that gives the company the ability to raise the toll rates each year until 2070. A study from an Old Dominion University economist in 2018 found Portsmouth "is being hurt proportionately more than any other city." "This is something I've been working on for 10 years, and I will continue," said Lucas, who was born and raised in Portsmouth. There is currently a toll relief program in place that provides for 50% off tolls. ERC provides up to $3.5 million to fund the discount to all drivers in the 16 localities that make up Hampton Roads who make less than $65,000. The process to achieve relief is the same. Drivers must have an E-ZPass and sign up at one of the three E-ZPass service centers. Jessica Cowardin, the assistant director of communications for VDOT, said drivers who are already signed up for this program may not need to reapply for the additional relief. "If the driver has enrolled in toll relief since July 2024, E-ZPass has collected the income information for eligibility," Cowardin said. "If enrollment was prior to July, proof of income will be needed to update the driver’s eligibility for additional toll relief." You must bring paper copies of several documents in order to complete the application. A list of accepted documents can be found here. "The in-person enrollment process allows the customer service team to assist with proper documentation and ensures that residency and income information is secure," according to a statement on VDOT's website. "It also allows for onsite approval so the specialists can assist with final set up of E-ZPass account items." Lucas is encouraging everyone who is eligible to take advantage of the relief. "That $101 million will be sitting there," Lucas said. "They can go and apply for that money and get their tolls paid."