Will Bridge Tolls Hurt Business?

A trip over the Sakonnet River Bridge will soon cost drivers. Will it hurt business in RI? Could it help business in Bristol as more drivers use Mt. Hope?

Police Say Alcohol Not a Factor in Fatal Mt. Hope Bridge Crash

State Police are looking into whether distracted driving was involved in Saturday's crash, as well as any medical issues. The crash remains under investigation.

State Police say "alcohol" was not a factor in a head-on crash that resulted in the death of a Barrington man and injured several others Saturday night.  Paul L. Matthews, 63, of Heritage Road, Barrington, died Saturday night after a head-on collision occurred on the Mt. Hope Bridge.  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 …

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Barrington Man Dies In Crash on Mt. Hope Bridge

Paul Matthews, 63, of Heritage Road, died Saturday night after a head-on collision on the Mt. Hope Bridge.

State Police have released the identity of the man killed after a head-on motor vehicle crash occurred Saturday night on the Mt. Hope Bridge.  Paul L. Matthews, 63, of Heritage Road, Barrington, died at the scene, reports The Providence Journal.  Warren resident Lenor C. Andrade, a passenger in the van driven by Matthews, was still being treated at Rhode Island Hospital, according to The Journal.  Four Portsmouth residents were transported to a local hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. These individuals were James and Ann Hitchen, passengers in Matthews' van, and John Kelchner and Susan Kelchner.  The cause of the crash remains under investigation at this time.  Motorists were directed to find alternate routes Saturday …

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Police Close Mt. Hope Bridge After Fatal Crash

State Police are reportedly leading an investigation into a fatal crash on the Mt. Hope Bridge Saturday night.

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.  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 to the bridge, which spans both towns.  Portsmouth police are directing questions to the State Police, who are leading the investigation. The bridge was closed to traffic around 7:30 p.m. Motorists were directed to take Route 24 to …

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John Coccio

10:53 am on Sunday, December 2, 2012

Surprise!!!! You are wrong. Occoured on the SOUTH side of the bridge.   more ›

Bridge Authority Adds Toll Hearings in Newport, Jamestown

The meetings follow two this week in Bristol and Portsmouth.

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced today that it will hold two additional public hearings this month to continue its conversation with the public about its revenue needs and tolling options. RITBA held its first session Wednesday night in Bristol, where approximately 100 residents came out, many to express displeasure with a proposal to add tolling back to the Mt. Hope Bridge. Another session is being held tonight at 7 p.m. at Portsmouth High School. The additional meetings will be at the following locations: At the Bristol meeting last night, RITBA Chairman David Darlington discussed the reality that the tolls on the Pell Bridge are the authority's only source of revenue. According to Darlington, they don't …

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Sandy McGee

10:05 am on Friday, October 7, 2011

Hi Mike. Checking into this and should have story soon.   more ›

Rep. Gallison to Governor: Replace Turnpike and Bridge Authority

Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. is calling on the governor to replace members of the Board of Directors and staff of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.

STATE HOUSE – Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. is calling on the governor to replace members of the Board of Directors and staff of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority in the face of the authority’s continual proposals for toll increases on the Pell Bridge and the reinstatement of tolls on the Mount Hope Bridge. Representative Gallison, who has sponsored legislation for several years to ban tolls on the Mount Hope Bridge, requested the move in a letter sent Monday to Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee. Tolls were eliminated from Mount Hope in 1998 when the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority said tolls on the nearby Pell Bridge, which costs drivers $2 per axle to cross, would provide plenty of money to maintain both. The Turnpike and …

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RIDOT, Turnpike Authority Inspecting Bridges Following 6.0 Earthquake

The Mt. Hope, Sakonnet River and Pell Bridge are all being inspected this evening following the 6.0 earthquake felt along the East Coast.

Rhode Island engineers and transportation officials are inspecting local bridges following the 6.0 earthquake that shook up the East Coast Tuesday afternoon.  Sakonnet River Bridge Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesman Charles St. Martin says the DOT is inspecting all of the state's projects, including the Sakonnet River Bridge.  "We are checking all of our projects," St. Martin said. St. Martin said he doesn't expect engineers and inspectors to find problems "given the minor magnitude of the earthquake."  "At this minute (4 p.m.), we haven't found anything," he said. "We don't expect any problems."  Inspectors checked the Sakonnet River Bridge project, late this afternoon. The Sakonnet River Bridge spans both …

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U.S. Coast Guard Calls Off Investigation of Overturned Boat

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its investigation of an overturned boat found Saturday morning near the Mount Hope Bridge.

The U.S. Coast Guard has suspended its investigation into the discovery of a small boat overturned under the Mount Hope Bridge on Saturday morning. U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders received a public call reporting an overturned 12-foot aluminum boat at approximately 5:30 a.m. on July 2. A Coast Guard 45-foot rescue boat crew from Station Castle Hill and a Bristol Fire Department boat crew investigated and found the overturned boat with items, including oars and sandals, inside. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew also searched the area. On Tuesday, a spokesperson for the U.S. Coast Guard said the search has been suspended and there have been no reports of missing boaters in the area. Anyone who may have information regarding the boat…

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