E.P. Legislators to Sit on Special Bridge Toll Study Commission

Sen. Daniel DaPonte and Rep. Helio Melo of East Providence have been appointed to the special legislative commission to study bridge funding in Rhode Island.

They were named, respectively, by M. Teresa Paiva Weed, president of the Senate, and Speaker of the House Gordon D. Fox. 

Last year, the General Assembly approved a provision in the budget transferring the ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge, which connects Tiverton and Portsmouth, to the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority so that a toll could be placed on the bridge.

Since then, a majority of the East Bay delegation and members of their communities have been vying for an equitable alternative to the tolls to maintain the area’s infrastructure and protect Aquidneck Island businesses from the perceived negative ramifications of the tolls.

Legislation approved this year calls for the creation of the special legislative commission, which will allow lawmakers and officials from the affected state departments and agencies to come together for six months and map out various funding plans, potentially eradicating the need for a Sakonnet Bridge toll.

The special legislative panel will not only study ways to fund East Bay bridges, but also seek a funding mechanism for all state bridges. The commission is required to report its findings to the General Assembly on or before Jan. 15, 2014. 

Additionally, RITBA will have the authority to implement a 10-cent toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge in August so it can preserve future tolling options for the bridge while the commission works to find alternatives. 

The 10-cent toll cap will be in effect until April 1, 2014.