Residents Continue to Voice Opposition to New Bridge Tolls

On Wednesday, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors voted unanimously to table a discussion on a  on the Mount Hope Bridge or increase them on the Newport bridge. 

The board voted to postpone this discussion until its next meeting on Feb. 8.

Many local residents are voicing opposition to this proposal. The following comments were shared with Middletown Patch on our Facebook page:

THEY BETTA TURN IT DOWN!!!! Mary E. Viera-Moniz 

Ridiculous! They dont need more money considering they don't know how to use it properly. These people never fail to amaze me. Chelsea Perry

Meanwhile, users on our Portsmouth and Newport Patch pages had this to say:

So... they took the toll booths away, just so they could put new ones up again after a few years? — Brian Killavey

No, there should be a way off this island that doesn't include a toll. Don't we pay enough already. — Carol Drew Brierley

If anything have a toll on 95 near the RI / CT border — Mike Littlefield

Right now the Newport Bridge tolls pay for the upkeep of both bridges plus some to the state for the rest of our roads. How about we lower the ridiculous $4 one way toll on the Newport Bridge, levy a small toll on the Mt Hope Bridge AND put in toll booths on 95. Stop making Newport pay for the rest of the state. Eric Pfirrmann 

What do you think? Should there be tolls on the Mount Hope Bridge? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.