With the possibility that tolls on the Newport Bridge could rise to $1 per crossing, some families could could end up spending hundreds of dollars more a year on their commute.

We proposed one scenario: a family of four whose adults travel across the bridge daily for work, and whose child may travel off-island for one activity a week. The numbers were calculated as if the parents each drove separately five days a week for 50 weeks a year and each child had that one off-island for 50 weeks a year.

Current Cost (83 cents)

Daily commute combined: $830
Off-island activities: $166
Total: $896

Proposed Increase to $1 

Daily commute combined: $1,000
Off-island activities: $200
Total: $1,200

In our scenario, the proposed increase would raise this family's cost by $302 each year. 

We want to know: how often does your family the bridge? How much would the proposed raise in tolls affect your budget? 

UPDATE RITBA Board Chairman David Darlington submitted the following statement: 

"The RITBA recognizes and appreciate the burden of local travelers who make frequent use of the Newport Bridge. Since the installation of EzPass we have offered an unlimited use plan currently $40 per month capping a residents annual maximum cost at $480. Under the potential new rates that is proposed to move to $48 per month or $576 maximum per year. I hope this information is helpful to you and your readers."