Portsmouth Council Votes to Sue Over Sakonnet Bridge Tolls

The Portsmouth Town Council announced it will file a lawsuit against several defendants, including the state's Department of Transportation director and the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, in response to proposed bridge tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge. 

The council voted unanimously Monday night to file a complaint in U.S. District Court in an effort to stop tolls, reports The Sakonnet Times.

The complaint to be filed is attached in its entirety at right as a pdf.

The complaint accuses the RITBA and Michael Lewis, director of the DOT, of violating the Federal-Aid Highway Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. 

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority voted to establish toll rates last Wednesday despite pending legislation to block tolls. 

The lawsuit announcement comes only days before a hearing on pending bills is expected to draw large crowds of East Bay residents at the State House. The hearing will be held Thursday, April 25, beginning at 1 p.m. at the State House.