Tolls on Rt. 95 may be
in RI's future

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Tolls, higher taxes and increased fees are just some of the suggestions made by Governor Carcieri's Blue Ribbon Task Force on Transportation Funding.

Governor Carcieri created the panel to come up with ways the state could pay for the billions of dollars needed to repair Rhode Island's crumbling roads and bridges.

The panel presented a draft report Thursday morning at the Department of Administration building.

It includes putting tolls on Route 95 at the Connecticut border, or perhaps even all interstate borders with Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Higher gas taxes and increased registration fees for car and trucks are also on the list.

The panel said the state could raise up to $300 million annually.

A Carcieri spokeswoman said the governor will wait for the final report before deciding what options his administration will pursue.