NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is taking his sales pitch to change how Virginia pays for transportation projects to some of the state’s most congested areas.

McDonnell wants to eliminate the state’s 17.5-cent per gallon gas tax and replace it with a sales tax increase of less than a penny on the dollar.

Among other things, the five-year, $3.1 billion proposal would expand Interstate 64 between Newport News and Williamsburg. It would also provide additional funding for rail and transit projects.

McDonnell is scheduled to hold news conferences Thursday in Newport News and Herndon.

He canceled another scheduled appearance in Roanoke due to inclement weather. That news conference will be conducted by telephone.

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