May 13, 7:43 PM EDT

Va. transportation bill gets ceremonial signing

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Gov. Bob McDonnell has held a ceremonial signing for a major legislative triumph.

The ceremonial signing Monday at the Capitol was for his sweeping, long-term overhaul of Virginia's system for funding repairs and upkeep of its highways.

Approval of the compromise bill came on the final day of the 2013 session of the General Assembly.

The measure replaces Virginia's 17 1/2 cents-per-gallon retail gasoline tax with a 3.5 percent wholesale tax on gasoline and a 6 percent levy on diesel fuel. It boosts statewide sales taxes from 5 percent to 5.3 percent and increases the titling tax on car sales.

The legislation also rules out proposed tolls on Interstate 95 south of Petersburg.

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