Friday, June 7, 2013
Beginning on June 25, the state will discount the cost of its E-ZPass transponders from its usual price of $20.95 to just $10. Buy them at Bristol Town Hall or RWU.
For a limited time beginning on June 25, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will discount the cost of its E-ZPass transponders from its $20.95 to $10. In addition, RITBA will give a $10 credit to the new E-ZPass account to be applied to future toll expenses. During the promotional period, RITBA will add additional locations where people can apply for the transponders — Bristol, Middletown, Tiverton and Roger Williams University at the former Ramada Inn. Applications are also available at RITBA headquarters. Full details about the promotion, dates, hours and locations can be found at www.ritba.org. New E-ZPass accounts begin with a $35 balance (a $25 minimum deposit). With a credit card number on file, the account will be …
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
The Newport County Chamber of Commerce supports local lawmakers' efforts to find sustainable funding for bridge maintenance other than relying on tolls.
The Board of Directors of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce recently voted unanimously to support Sen. Louis DiPalma’s bill to freeze tolls on the Newport Bridge and prohibit tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge. Co-sponsored by Sens. Teresa Paiva Weed, Walter S. Felag, Christopher S. Ottiano and David Bates, DiPalma’s bill is unique from all other legislation relating to bridge tolling. Senate Bill 0242 would prohibit tolling on the Sakonnet, Mt. Hope and Jamestown Verrazano Bridges and stop any future increases in toll rates on the Newport Pell Bridge. This bill is the first to address the need for a sustainable funding mechanism for bridge maintenance and for state Department of Transportation (DOT) funding, making it the first…
Thursday, December 6, 2012
The state Department of Transportation Director Michael P. Lewis cut off Tuesday's toll hearing in Tiverton just after midnight, directing residents who did not get to speak to submit written comments.
Director Michael P. Lewis of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) ended Tuesday's toll hearing just after midnight on Tuesday, cutting off commentary from several speakers. The five-hour public hearing featured a steady line of residents, all but one who were in opposition to the placement of a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge. The informational public hearing was conducted as part of the DOT's evaluation of the environmental impact a toll would have on the community, businesses and surrounding infrastructure and will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) by the end of January 2013. "The meeting was advertised until 10 p.m. and the meeting the night before ended around 10:30 or 10:45 p.m.," said Charles St. …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
There was no lack of audience at the second in a pair of public hearings on the Sakonnet River Bridge toll by the state Department of Transportation in Tiverton on Tuesday night.
Hundreds of residents packed Tiverton High School auditorium, hoping to be heard at the second Sakonnet Bridge toll hearing on Tuesday night. Michael P. Lewis, director of the Department of Transportation (DOT) opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and told residents he would provide an abridged presentation explaining the agency's revenue problems. "It is not lost on me that this is not a popular proposal, but we are going to talk about the reasons why this is being considered," said Lewis. "The background on how transportation is funded in state, the history of the [state] Turnpike and Bridge Authority and what is this toll that is being proposed." "Most importantly this is a public hearing opportunity for us at RIDOT to hear from you on the…
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
A Barrington man died of "head injuries" after a serious crash on the Mt. Hope Bridge Saturday night.
The state Medical Examiner's Office has released its findings in the fatal vehicle crash Saturday night on the Mt. Hope Bridge. Paul L. Matthews, 63, of Heritage Road, Barrington, died Saturday night of head injuries, reports The Providence Journal. Warren resident Lenor C. Andrade and Portsmouth residents James and Ann Hitchen, and John and Susan Kelchner were also injured during the major crash. None of their injuries are considered life-threatening. State Police Capt. Frank B. Castellone says alcohol was not a factor in the crash, but police are looking into whether distracted driving or a medical issue was the cause. "The investigation is not complete," Castellone said. "We are awaiting the report from the Medical Examiner's Office…
Monday, December 3, 2012
The first of two hearings will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Portsmouth High School.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has organized two workshops next week to allow the public to learn more and ask questions about the financial challenges the state faces in maintaining four of Rhode Island’s largest bridges, and the possibility of tolling the Sakonnet River Bridge. The state Bridge and Turnpike Authority — needing to add revenue after assuming control of all four major bridges in Rhode Island — has also considered resuming tolls on the Mt. Hope Bridge, but is focusing on the new Sakonnet first. Where and when The first workshop is set for Monday, Dec. 3, at Portsmouth High School, according to a press release. The second workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Tiverton High School. Both meetings take …
Sunday, December 2, 2012
State Police are reportedly leading an investigation into a fatal crash on the Mt. Hope Bridge Saturday night.
Updated at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Motorists were directed to find alternate routes Saturday night after police closed Mt. Hope Bridge to all traffic following a serious motor vehicle crash. Multiple sources from both the Portsmouth Fire and Police Departments confirmed the crash involved a fatality. Information about the victim or possible victims is unknown at this time. According to The Providence Journal, one man died and five other people were injured after a two-vehicle crash around 7 p.m. The identity of the deceased man and those injured have not been released. Multiple people were reported to be injured, according to Capt. Michael O'Brien, spokesperson for the Portsmouth Fire Department. Portsmouth and Bristol Rescues were called …
Friday, October 26, 2012
The Coast Guard is seeking public assistance after receiving a report of an unmanned and adrift boat in Mount Hope Bay.
The Coast Guard is seeking public assistance after receiving a report of an unmanned and adrift boat in Mount Hope Bay near Portsmouth on Friday. The boat was described as: - 8 feet in length - Skiff design - White - Fiberglass hull Aboard the boat were: - Live bait (green crab used for blackfish) - A fishing pole - University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Soccer windbreaker jacket with the #23 on it The boat was located by a Good Samaritan who reported it in position 41-39.77N 071-13.7W. Currently, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management is in possession of the vessel. Coast Guard Station Castle Hill, Rhode Island Marine Strike Force, local harbormasters, and a MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod are conducting …
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Gov. Lincoln Chafee and Senator Jack Reed mark the opening of this new infrastructure.
Governor Lincoln D. Chafee and Senator Jack Reed joined Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) Director Michael P. Lewis Friday to officially open the new Sakonnet River Bridge. This vital link to Aquidneck Island carries Route 24 and connects Tiverton and Portsmouth. With the opening of the new bridge, the 18-ton weight limit, in effect since June 2008, has been removed. The governor was also met by residents who are opposed to bridge tolls. Although the bridge is open to traffic, work continues on the approach roads on both sides of the span. As part of this activity, the Department temporarily closed the ramp from Route 138 (Main Road) to Route 24 south for approximately two months. A signed detour is in place. RIDOT …
Friday, September 28, 2012
How would a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge impact you, your family or your business day to day? Sound off in the comments below.
Tiverton STOP is soliciting letters from East Bay residents who would be affected by a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge. While the Sakonnet bridge doesn't directly serve Bristol or Warren, local residents could be impacted if Tiverton STOP is successful in fighting the tolls. The state Turnpike and Bridge Authority is required by statute to add revenue now that the Department of Transportation has transferred control of the four major bridges to the authority. If there's no toll on the Sakonnet, the Mount Hope Bridge would likely be next in line, and was originally considered for a toll. At the group's Thursday night launch meeting at the Tiverton Town Hall, STOP organizers said they aim to send 5,000 to 6,000 personal letters to the …
Herb Weiss
10:26 am on Friday, June 7, 2013
Chafee would like the toll taxes paid ASAP!!! more ›