Toll Discounts 'Unpalatable,' Says East Bay Legislator

East Bay legislators said they are not giving up on efforts to block tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge following Wednesday's decision by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to establish toll rates.

Lawmakers and residents from East Bay communities have argued that a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge could discourage tourists and have significant impacts on the the local economy.

"They are using the Sakonnet River Bridge as a cash cow for more than $20 million to be sucked out of our economy in the East Bay to support the [Newport] Pell and Mt. Hope bridges," said Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70 Portsmouth, Tiverton) in response to the the RITBA decision to move forward and establish a tolling rate on the Sakonnet River Bridge.

The tolling structure established by the RITBA on Wednesday addressed concerns by residents and small business owners that a toll would increase their transportation costs. Business owners also worried a toll would divert customers.

RITBA officials said that discounts will automatically be put in place to benefit frequent travelers of the bridge: Frequent travelers on the Sakonnet River Bridge only be charged the price of one round trip per day and Rhode Island E-Z Pass transponders will become available to out-of-state drivers.

"They are trying to make an unpalatable situation palatable," said Edwards in response to several discounted rates that will become available under the Sakonnet toll structure. "Having a toll is just unpalatable."

RITBA board member and former Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk said by offering discounts to commuters, commercial users and out of state users, the impact to the local economy has been minimized.   

"In order for there to be no impact locally, there should be no toll," said Edwards. He said Tiverton residents who work in Newport would now incur a daily cost to get to get to work.

"It's another tax to the people who unfortunately live in this area," Edwards added.

Waluk pointed out it was not a RITBA decision to put tolls on the Sakonnet Bridge. Rhode Island's General Assembly approved the tolls last year to pay for the bridge maintenance.  

"Of course no one wanted a toll on Sakonnet, but that decision was made long before today's vote," said Waluk.  "Our job was to develop a way to adequately fund the operations and maintenance of all four bridges while balancing the impact on our users."

If approved, bills before the House and Senate finance committees would stop tolls by creating an alternative mechanism for raising the revenue needed - $38 million over 10 years - to maintain the four bridges in Newport County.

Introduced by Sen. Louis P. DiPalma (D-Dist. 12, Little Compton, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton), Senate Bill 242 would freeze toll rates of the Newport Pell Bridge, block tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge and create a bridge maintenance fund that would be partially supported by an increase in motor vehicle inspection fees and partially through transfers from the state's general fund. Sen. Walter S. Felag (D-Dist. 10, Bristol, Tiverton, Warren), Sen. Christopher S. Ottiano (R-Dist. 11, Bristol, Portsmouth), Sen. David A. Bates (R-Dist. 32, Barrington, Bristol), and Sen. Teresa M. Paiva Weed (D-Dist. 13, Jamestown, Newport).

A similar bill is being vetted by the House Committee on Finance, sponsored by Rep. Edwards, Rep. Raymond E. Gallison (D-Dist. 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), Rep. Jan P. Malik (D-Dist. 67, Barrington, Warren), Rep. Dennis M. Canario (D-Dist. 71, Portsmouth, Little Compton, Tiverton) and Rep. Kennth A. Marshall (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren).

"We are still working to repeal tolls on the bridge," said DiPalma. "That hasn't changed. While I'm a little disappointed they went forward to set the tolls on the bridge, they are doing what they need to do and we are doing what we need to do."

RITBA Chairman David Darlington said the agency was moving forward with plans to toll because that is its current responsibility under the law.

"We are not giving up," said Edwards. "This is far from over yet and I strongly urge everyone who has an opinion on this to come to the hearing on the 25th in front of the House Finance Committee."

A hearing on House Bill 5137 will be held before the House Committee on Finance on Thursday, April 25 at 1 p.m. in Room 35 at the State House, 82 Smith St., Providence.