RI asks feds for Sakonnet Bridge toll

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) — The state Department of Transportation has submitted paperwork with the Federal Highway Administration that would allow it to add a toll to the new Sakonnet River Bridge.

The General Assembly has authorized placing a toll on the bridge, which replaced an old span and is one of three onto Aquidneck Island. That proposal has met fierce resistance some from local residents and businesses who say they depend on it and fear a toll will drive customers away.

The Newport Daily News reported Tuesday that the department had to amend an environmental impact statement with the Federal Highway Administration. Tolls weren't taken into account when developing the previous impact statement.

The state says in the application that tolls will have a negligible impact or even a small positive impact and that not placing a toll could put the bridge system's health in jeopardy.

The toll rate has not yet been set, but the report indicates it will be less than the rate for tolls on the Pell Bridge, which is 83 cents for in-state traffic with an E-ZPass transponder or $4 for out-of-state traffic or those paying cash.

State Rep. John Edwards, D-Tiverton, told the newspaper that the department is ignoring evidence contrary to its goal of instituting tolls.

John Vitkevich, who led a toll study panel formed by the Portsmouth Business Association, said commercial vehicles are likely to have to pay higher tolls than residents and those costs will be passed on to consumers.