Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Local legislators said they would continue efforts to repeal tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge despite an RITBA decision establishing a toll rate structure today.
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 …
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has contacted the State Police after two men allegedly climbed the Mount Hope Bridge last October and posted the video on YouTube.
Two men, who allegedly climbed the Mount Hope Bridge this past fall and posted the video on YouTube, are apparently keeping a low profile, reports The Sakonnet Times. The incident, which occurred in October, was reported to the State Police by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, according to The Sakonnet Times. The video, which did not show the actual climb, has also apparently been removed from YouTube, according to the article. The Mount Hope Bridge spans Portsmouth and Bristol, and reaches a height of 285 feet. Climbing the bridge is illegal and extremely dangerous.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
The board also voted to rescind the toll changes, which are effective July 1, should the Rhode Island General Assembly pass legislation in this session that would provide RITBA with “an alternative and sufficient source of revenue.”
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Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors voted today during its monthly board meeting for new toll rates for the Newport Pell Bridge as well as a request of the Rhode Island General Assembly to allow RITBA to set toll rates for the Mount Hope Bridge. The rates that were approved by the board are $1.00 per crossing for residents with a RI E-ZPass and $5.00 per crossing for cash and undiscounted E-ZPass. The added revenue, RITBA says, will help pay for the $250 million needed to fund RITBA’s capital projects in the 10-year Renewal and Replacement Plan. Importantly, the board also voted to rescind the toll changes on the Pell Bridge, which are effective July 1, should the Rhode Island General Assembly pass legislation …
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Residents continue to voice opposition to this plan even after the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority tabled its talks Wednesday.
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Saturday, January 21, 2012
On Wednesday, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors voted unanimously to table a discussion on a proposal to ask the General Assembly to approve tolls 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…
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
The RITBA board of directors are expected to vote on raising tolls at the Newport Pell Bridge and setting toll rates for the Mount Hope Bridge.
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors met this morning for its monthly board meeting. The board voted unanimously to table the discussion on new toll rates for the Newport Pell Bridge, which would raise rates to $5 for cash and un-discounted E-ZPass drivers and $1 for Rhode Island E-ZPass drivers, and its request to the Rhode Island General Assembly to allow RITBA to set toll rates for the Mount Hope Bridge, until its next meeting on Feb. 8.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will meet Wednesday, Jan. 18, at 8:30 a.m. at the Jamestown Philomenian Library, 26 North Road.
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Saturday, January 14, 2012
The following is from a press release issued by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority: The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors will meet for its monthly board meeting on Wednesday Jan. 18, and is expected to vote on new toll rates for the Newport Pell Bridge, as well as a request of the Rhode Island General Assembly to allow RITBA to set toll rates for the Mount Hope Bridge. In October, RITBA spent considerable time gathering opinions from businesses and members of the public about the feasibility of re-instituting tolls on the Mount Hope Bridge and increasing toll rates on the Newport Pell Bridge. “RITBA must set appropriate rates for the Newport Pell Bridge so that we can prepare for the long process…
Friday, December 30, 2011
AAA has launched a pilot program with the bridge authority.
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority's office near the Newport Bridge is now not the only place you can purchase an E-ZPass. AAA has announced a new pilot program with RITBA, whereby all of its Rhode Island branches will now sell the E-ZPass transponders. They can be purchased for $20.95, plus the initial load amount. AAA Members will receive a $2 credit towards their toll balance just by signing up for a new E-ZPass account at one of the participating AAA Offices. Eligible vehicles include those that are two axle, 4-tire individually owned/leased vehicles, 7,000 pounds max gross weight, including pickups and RVs with dual rear tires and motorcycles. Anyone driving one of the following vehicles must still purchase the E-ZPass at …
Thursday, October 6, 2011
The meetings follow two this week in Bristol and Portsmouth.
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) announced today that it will hold two additional public hearings this month to continue its conversation with the public about its revenue needs and tolling options. RITBA held its first session Wednesday night in Bristol, where approximately 100 residents came out, many to express displeasure with a proposal to add tolling back to the Mt. Hope Bridge. Another session is being held tonight at 7 p.m. at Portsmouth High School. The additional meetings will be at the following locations: At the Bristol meeting last night, RITBA Chairman David Darlington discussed the reality that the tolls on the Pell Bridge are the authority's only source of revenue. According to Darlington, they don't …
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Board to hold public meetings in October to seek public input about re-tolling Mount Hope Bridge for toll parity on Aquidneck Island.
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Thursday, September 15, 2011
In keeping with its policy to regularly review toll rates, the board of directors of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) today engaged in a discussion about the need to increase tolls on the Newport Pell Bridge. “In 2009, RITBA held numerous public meetings to discuss the future of tolling on the Newport Pell and Mount Hope Bridges as well as to discuss the revenue and maintenance needs of both bridges,” said David A. Darlington, chairman. “Keeping the bridges safe is our highest priority and their regular maintenance is costly. By adopting a predictable and regular toll schedule, we ensure that we meet our obligation to provide sufficient revenue to support the operations, maintenance and capital improvement …
michael
6:28 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013
Another way of nickel and diming us to death.It is bad enough that water taxes have gone up another 41%.This town/island is just another example of local and state government holding hands to get more money from you the over burdend tax payer.Its always over the top with these people.I think that's why,or at least one small reason why,the people of this country,as a whole,are just about at their … more ›