The Department of Transportation (DOT) has taken a step towards collecting tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge, reports The Newport Daily News on Tuesday. 

According to The Newport Daily News' Facebook page, the DOT has submitted its application to the Federal Highway Administration to place tolls on the bridge, which spans Portsmouth and Tiverton. 

The move comes nearly two weeks after the Tiverton STOP group and others submitted more than 30,000 signatures from residents opposing the tolls. 

Tolls could be in place as early as this summer, DOT Director Michael Lewis said previously. 

Three state legislators have also introduced legislation which would block the placement of tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge. 

Rep. John G. Edwards (D – Dist. 70,  Portsmouth, Tiverton) and Senators Walter S. Felag Jr. and Louis P. DiPalma are sponsoring legislation that would effectively stand in the way of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) placing a toll on the bridge. 

The legislation has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

What do you think about the DOT's submission of the application? Will the Federal Highway Administration approve it? Tell us in the comment section below!