Virginia didn't ban cars from road if valued under $60,000

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia transportation authorities won't prohibit vehicles valued at under $60,000 from driving on an expanded roadway where tolls on a nine-mile stretch now exceed $30.

A bogus story about a major expansion of northern Virginia's network of toll roads has been circulating online since the state's transportation department launched its "Express Lanes" concept Monday on Interstate 66.

Among other false claims, the story said transportation authorities would ban cars valued at under $60,000 to provide wealthy commuters with an "exclusive roadway" to and from Washington, D.C.

Michelle Holland, a spokeswoman with the Virginia Department of Transportation, said the story was obviously "not true."

The story appeared on a site called Real News Right Now, which is listed on media watch lists as a hoax site.

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