Bridge Toll Plan Awaits Fed OK

Federal approval is still needed before tolls can be placed on the Sakonnet Bridge.

Plans to install tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge still await federal approval, despite comments by state Department of Transportation Director Michael P. Lewis to a legislative committee last week that tolling would be implemented this summer. DOT Spokesman Bryan Lucier clarified remarks Lewis made during the hearing before the House Finance Subcommittee on Transportation. He told Patch Friday afternoon that plans to implement tolls are stalled, as the state awaits an answer from the Federal Highway Administration on its application to impose tolls on Route 24. "We are still waiting for word from the Federal Highway Administration regarding our application — the re-evaluation," Lucier said. "That's kind of where we stand. Obviously the…

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Today Is Last Day to File Comments on Bridge Tolls with RIDOT

Click to find out how you can give your feedback to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation.

DOT Deadline On Toll Statements Approaching

The DOT will accept written testimonials on the impact of a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge from resident of nearby towns, including Bristol and Warren, through Jan. 18.

  The following is based on a press release from the state Department of Transportation. Residents of comunities near the Sakonnet River Bridge — including Bristol and Warren — must submit personal statements to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) on how a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge would impact their lives by Jan. 18. All comments will be included the DOT's environmental impact survey to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Ultimately, the FHWA will rule on whether a toll can be installed on the Sakonnet River Bridge, based upon the findings of the environmental and economic impact statements. According to DOT Director Michael P. Lewis, the reports will be filed with the FHWA by the end of the month. In December, the…

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Poppasquash Road to Close for Repairs Beginning Tuesday, Dec. 18

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation announced the closure — which will require a detour through Colt State Park to reach Coggeshall Farm Road — to repair damage from Hurricane Sandy.

  Crews from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation are scheduled to shut down Poppasquash Road to through traffic beginning Tuesday, Dec. 18, to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy, the agency announced today. In a statement, RIDOT said that the road will be closed from Hope Street to Coggeshall Farm Road through February, 2013, though local access to residences and businesses in the area will be permitted. The $1.7 million project includes removal and replacement of damaged pavement, repair to damaged seawalls and drainage pipes, and replacement of the Poppasquash Road Bridge, according to the RIDOT statement. RIDOT also announced that traffic will be detoured through Colt State Park, starting from Asylum Road at Hope Street, …

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RIDOT Urges Caution As Cleanup Begins

Power outages and tree damage may limit travel.

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is urging residents to drive cautiously today, particularly in South County, which saw the highest winds, flooding, power outages and tree damage from Hurricane Sandy. Although the storm has passed, there may be roads still blocked by debris. Even streets that are passable may be partially restricted by trees or crews working to restore power or fully clear the roads. The department especially wants to urge drivers and pedestrians to be wary of any downed power lines, which may be live. “There is a temptation after a storm like this to get out and view the damage,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said in a release. “We ask people in hard-hit areas not to make any unnecessary trips and …

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Letter: Replace Tolls With Mileage Tax

Bristol resident advocates for the elimination of bridge tolls and steep cuts in gas taxes, replacing all with an annual fee based on miles driven.

In seeing all the negative feelings surrounding the toll increases and proposed new tolls, I have a suggestion I would request you entertain. First of all, I applaud the efforts of RITBA in keeping the Mount Hope and Pell bridges the best and safest in the state. Considering how old they are and in what excellent condition they are in, it is shamefull that the other major spans in this state can't last more than 50 years w/o falling down. That is unaccepable!!! However, we all know this costs money. Nobody can doubt that. But, these funds are beginning to dry up. Consider a recent Congressional Budget Office report that indicates the Federal Highway Trust Fund has taken in more money than it has spent only once in the last 11 years. This …

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John Coccio

4:50 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2012

The fy2013 budget is not yet finished. That report is not complete. Our share of it is about $670 million. RItecare/share and Medicaid are all listed under one line item called "Medical Assistance" The total expenditures for med. assistance is about $1,7 billion, with $1.1 billion coming from the feds. We are NOT running a 100% deficit. The actual numbers for FY 2012, which ends THIS June 30th is…   more ›

Is The Free Ride Over?

A forum at the Burnside Building tonight at 7 addresses concerns over proposed fees for the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges.

Since 1998, Rhode Islanders — especially those on the East Bay — have had the option to get onto Aquidneck Island without paying the tolls the Newport Bridge charges. The free ride could soon be coming to an end and crossing onto the island may soon cost drivers money regardless of the route they take. The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority hopes so. The authority — which already approved raising rates on the Newport Pell Bridge — has proposed adding fees to the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges. The tolls would range from 52 cents to $3.25 each way. The Newport bridge is scheduled to increase from $4 to $5 for cash-paying drivers. Those using an E-Z pass pay less than $1. Residents have voiced strong opposition to the plan …

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Bike Path Closed Sunday Evening

RIDOT will be sealing cracks on the bike path in the Bristol area on Sunday evening into Monday morning.

The following is a release from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. RIDOT is scheduled to conduct crack sealing operations on the East Bay Bike Path from 7 p.m. on Sunday, May 6, 2012 until 6 a.m. on Monday, May 7. The area to be sealed is from Riverside Square in East Providence to Thames Street in Bristol. Cyclists and other path users should avoid the bikeway during this important operation which will improve the riding surface and prevent further cracking. The schedule is weather-dependent and subject to change.

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Hope Street Project Work: April 16-21

Work will be on the west side (Route 114 south) and will involve lane closures and no parking in the work zone.

In an effort to keep locals up to date on what will be going on in the downtown area, the following update has been provided by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. From April 16 ‐ 21, 2012, the following operations will be in effect: Monday to Friday, operations are planned from 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Hope Street from State Street to Byfield Street. Work will be on the west side (Route 114 south) and will involve lane closures and no parking in the work zone. Work zone will continue to be shifted once activities have been completed at each location. Work will consist of removing and disposing existing concrete curbs, removing and resetting existing granite curbs, installing new granite curbs and setting driveway transition …

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Bristol Businesses Feel Financial Pinch From Construction

Local business owners say they see a difference in sales and daily customers since the one-way roads were implemented and construction began.

Just one week in to the changed traffic patterns and Department of Transportation construction, several businesses located in downtown Bristol say their shops are feeling the pinch. "The traffic is definitely affecting our business," said Barry Schrutt, owner of Photo World, located on Hope Street. "You have to really want to come out to come down here." For a business that has been struggling to stay afloat during trying economic times, Schrutt says now is no time to slow down business. "I understand why they have to do the construction this time of year but the businesses are just coming out of the winter, which is about five bad months of business," Schrutt says. "Now we're going to go into several more months of bad business in a time …

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DunkinDowntown

1:28 pm on Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Dunkin Donuts Downtown Staff says: THANK YOU! Obrigado! Grazie! Merci! Danke! Takk! THANK YOU! It has been absolutely amazing to see the wonderful customer support through this construction period. From watching our always valued customers have to park and walk over from a block or more away--to navigating the revised driving routes--walking over part-to-non-existent sidewalks or pure mud---just …   more ›