Lawmakers 'Hopeful' New Bill is Key to Blocking Tolls

With just three weeks and three days left in the legislative session, East Bay lawmakers said a bill introduced on Wendesday is key to blocking tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge.

One year in the making, Senate Bill 0989 would shake up the way Rhode Island pays for its bridges. Lawmakers said this bill takes a holisitic approach to maintaining infrastructure not only in the East Bay, but across Rhode Island.

"I'm saying yes we have time, but also yes, time is of the essence," said Sen. Louis DiPalma, who sponsored the legislation, in an  interview on Thursday morning. The state General Assembly will break for summer on June 30 and the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority plans to begin toll collection on July 1.

Rather than develop a mechanism that would block tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge and pay for maintenance to only the four bridges currently under the purview of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, DiPalma's bill would create a maintenance fund to pay for all bridges across the state of Rhode Island that are larger than 700 feet.

If the legislation is approved, the RITBA would gain control over 19 additional bridges that are critical means of transport to commuters in Rhode Island. Maintenance to all 23 bridges is estimated to cost $466 million over the next 10 years.

To pay for this, DiPalma and cohort Rep. John G. Edwards, who is leading an identical bill in the House, propose a restricted bridge maintenance account to be funded through an increase in bi-annual vehicle inspection costs, fees from motor vehicle insurance enforcement and increase in associated tax, net revenues from the state Department of Motor Vehicles, and annual contributions from the state Capital Plan.

"In essence, the Sakonnet River Bridge has became a catalyst for looking at our critical transportation infrastructure throughout the entire state," said DiPalma. "We looked at - in a much larger approach - on how do we address bridges across entire state."

Funding Component:  Funding Value (projected collections over 10 years): Bi-annual vehicle inspection fees (increased from $39 to $65) $65 million Motor vehicle insurance enforcement and increase in associated tax $111 million New revenues from DMV $260 million RICAP contribution $30 million Total (10 year projection) $466 million

Of the state's 612 bridges, 62 percent are either structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, posted or closed, according to a state Department of Transportation engineering study from January.

"We took a step back and from a statewide perspective, realized we had been remiss in not looking at other bridges," said DiPalma. "We looked at where is the next community where this is going to happen and with this bold step, we say how do we address this in a compressive holistic fashion statewide and in a sustainable matter?" 

DiPalma is hopeful that the comprehensive approach will attract lawmakers on the other side of the bay to support the bill. Over the next several weeks the House and Senate finance committees will conduct hearings on the legislation before it hits the floor for a vote.

"I'm hopeful that this will work," said DiPalma.

"We will have to see the initial reaction," said Edwards, speaking on his hopes for the bills passage. "We have talked about this with the leadership team, and feedback is favorable thus far, but bills need to be fully vetted."