Toll hikes approved by bridge authority

JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) - Drivers in Rhode Island may soon have to shell out a little more money when they want to travel in certain areas of the state.

At its monthly meeting Wednesday morning, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors voted in favor of new toll rates for the Newport Pell Bridge and a request to allow for new toll rates at the Mount Hope Bridge.

"We have as much highway in the state of Rhode Island as to drive from here to San Francisco and have a bridge every three miles. That's how much infrastructure we have in Rhode Island that we have to maintain. We don't have the revenue services to adequately maintain that," said RIDOT Director Michael Lewis.

Rates on the Pell Bridge would be raised from 83 cents to one dollar per crossing for Rhode Island residents with E-Z Pass, and four dollars to five dollars per crossing for those paying in cash or with a non-discounted E-ZPass.

Eyewitness News has learned that the rate increase may not happen after all.

"What was agreed to today I would refer to as Plan B. Plan A is the governor's budget." Lewis stated.

Governor Lincoln Chafee has proposed legislation to toll the Sakonnet Bridge. If that passes, the Newport toll increase will be rescinded.

"We're going to have to go talk to the rating agencies prior to July 1st about the next set of bonds that we're going to have to issue in order to finance the maintenance of those structures and in order to do that and keep our bond rating and keep our interest rate low, we need to have in place a plan as to how we're going to finance this,"  said David Darlington.

The additional revenue collected is slated to go toward repairs of the two bridges.

"The two bridges in our care require significant repair and maintenance work to ensure that they remain safe," said Chairman of the Board David Darlington in a statement.

The proposal also includes the possibility of tolling I-95 near the Connecticut border.

The toll changes will go into effect July 1.