State Collects Enough Money on Motor Vehicles to Offset Bridge Tolls

Spend the money the state already collects in the name of transportation on transportation and there is no need to pay tolls on the East Bay bridges. 

That fact came out loud and clear at the final public hearing held by the commission studying the funding of the East Bay’s bridges last Thursday, Dec. 19, according to a story in eastbayri.com.

Another fact came out loud and clear at that hearing as well: The $40 million collected for motor vehicle fees and taxes is already spoken for in the state budget, according to Richard Licht, director of administration. 

So, any money shifted from the general fund to Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to operate the bridges takes from Peter to pay Paul.

The RITBA has said that it needs to levy tolls on the Sakonnet and Mt. Hope Bridges or it will be forced to turn them over to the state. The Commission to Study the Funding of the East Bay Bridges is looking at familiar alternatives as it being preparing a report for the legislature by the end of January.

Among the alternatives: place a $3 toll on Route 95 near the Connecticut line, estimated to generate more than $30 million a year; increase several motor vehicle fees that reportedly would offset tolls for the Sakonnet River Bridge. See the complete story on the commission’s final hearing by clicking here.