Thursday, February 16, 2012
The bill would place the new Turnpike and Bridge Division under the direction of an assistant director at DOT.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, February 16, 2012
The Rhode Island General Assembly recently announced a new piece of legislation introduced by Rep. Richard Morrison. The bill would essentially dissolve the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and move all of its projects to be handled by a division of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. The following is the official release from the Rhode Island General Assembly: If shrinking government and making it more efficient can save taxpayer money, Rep. Richard P. Morrison (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren) has a suggestion about where to start. He has introduced legislation that will dissolve the quasi-public Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, moving all its duties and functions to the RI Department of Transportation in a …
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Rep. Dan Gordon says he will reject any legislation to collect tolls off the Mount Hope Bridge.
The following is from a press release issued by Rep. Dan Gordon (Dist. 71-Portsmouth, Tiverton, Little Compton) on Wednesday. This morning, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority in a vote of 2-1, agreed to raise the cost of crossing the Pell Newport Bridge from $4 to $5, effective as of July 1. Also, most notably, the resolution passed by the authority proposes to set a toll rate on the Mount Hope Bridge and refers to a proposal by Governor Lincoln Chafee to toll the new Sakonnet River Bridge. "I am adamantly opposed to the entire resolution," wrote Rep. Dan Gordon in the press release. "Raising tolls during the height of the tourist season on the Pell Bridge will do nothing but further starve the tourism economic engine of …
Sunday, January 15, 2012
For tolls to be established, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority would need the General Assembly to pass enabling legislation, and a trio of legislators are vehemently opposed to any such bill.
- GOVERNMENT
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Sunday, January 15, 2012
Rep. Raymond E. Gallison Jr. (Bristol, Portsmouth), Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Tiverton, Portsmouth) and Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Warren, Bristol, Tiverton) are introducing bills aimed at preventing the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority from instituting tolls on the Mount Hope and Sakonnet River bridges. In a press release Friday, the legislators said they want to send a message to the Turnpike and Bridge Authority that any request it may make for tolls on those bridges is going to be met with stiff opposition in the General Assembly. “We’ve said time and time again that the Turnpike and Bridge Authority isn’t going to hold the people of the East Bay and Aquidneck Island hostage. If they try to put in these tolls, we will fight …
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.
- GOVERNMENT
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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 …
5th Warder
7:08 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
This is more about Rep. Morrison keeping tolls off the Mt Hope Bridge than anything. If he were sincere, he's realize that the bridges that RITBA care for are in good shape, with ongoing maintenance, and the maintenance is paid for. As a quasi-public entity, they are less apt to be pushed around by the short-sighted, self-serving clowns on Smith Hill. On the other hand, DOT bridges are dangerous… more ›