John: We are aware of those numbers and more. The info is posted on various links on their website. In our strategy sessions, we felt that this operation could use a good, independent forensic audit. And perhaps audits on the amounts they are getting quoted for repair work. Also, that is why we are suggesting some ideas to incorporate business best practices into the mix to reduce unnecessary spending.

What do you do at RITBA?

@ John Weisley

Don't work for anybody but myself. I pay my own way and I don't look to others to foot my bills or build special roads for me. What I do is irrelvant to the intrinsic problems raised by my post regarding the anti-toll coalition-of-the-intitled. Either debate me or be quiet, but don't be a coward and resort to ad hominems- they are the ultimate act of captitulation without honor.

well, here is the thing: we won't pay. I will never drive to newport again. (And I go about once a week and spend roughly $25-30 each trip). I will also never drive to Portsmouth, or Bristol again. I wont drive through on my way to South County again, because the toll means it is now cheaper for me to go over the top, which means I wont stop for a coffee in Middletown or gas. It also means I will go to the Dartmouth christmas tree Shop instead of Middletown, and I will no longer go to Batik Garden chinese buffet, but rather the Fall River or Dartmouth one. And I will never go to the IHOP again either It also means I will completely stop giving a darn at all what happens on the island, all because Newport people didnt support no tolls on out 1/4 mile long bridge. so, if you do not mind losing my roughly $3000 per year of business on the island, sure, support the Sakonnet tolls.

Wow big spender Dan... Ihop, Xmas tree shops, batik garden.. You hit all three and only spend $2.15... Hahaha We not miss your money...

fine by me, ask those businesses if they will miss it. Maybe you can afford lobster pancakes every day and $8 round trip on the tolls, but I am not rolling in dough. And ask people from Fall River which way they will head. Dartmouth, or Middletown? Middle town is a few miles closer and a little bit nicer. But $8 rough trip nicer? no, sorry to say, but no. Belittle it all you want, but if you want my business and many others business on the island, you would do well to support the no toll initiative. I really love that you think that $3k per year in business is equal to two bucks. You must be an economics professor, right?

Dan can't do math. Lets figure out- based on Providence-New Bedford statistical area census data what it would cost him. Using the following:.29 cents per mile of depreciation, gasoline at 3.75 (lowest it will be this year) in a vehicle getting 20 MPG and figuring he will add an extra 20 miles and 30 minutes at the speed limit (good luck with that one on I-195) and his time is worth 17 bucks/hour the total addtional cost would be... 5.80 + 3.75 + 8.50 = $18.50 in addtional costs PER TRIP ONE WAY! Thats $37 once a week x 40 weeks = fourteen hundred dollars a year wasted to make a point. How bout you give me half, Dan, and I kick you in the pants twice and we'll call it even? I know there are a lot of dumb people in this world but this takes the cake.

When are men going to start acting like men?? You sound like 2 year olds!!! Who cares whose math is right or wrong. Who cares that you think 2.15 isn't worth it. Imagine EVERY person spending $3000 all of a sudden, STOPPING! Do you think that will make a difference?? Instead of bickering, try joining forces and figure something out that will work.

@ cherie
If you depend on that 3K you need to have your business where the 3K is, on the mainland. There is a solution- tolls- for maintaining bridges that benefit a select few- and please drop the sales tax issue- if Aquidneck island had mature industry wages they'd dwarf the sales tax from tourism. This state doesn'd need another gosh darn 10 dollar an hour service industry job. There are tolls to get to the poconnos, delware water gap, all the the hudson valley including lake champlain, down east maine, the eastern cheasepeake, virginia beach, cape may, hilton head.... what makes Aquidneck Island so damn special that it shouldn't have tolls too?

So if there's a million people in RI, conservatively 1/3 of them drive, that's 330,000 cars, conservatively using 5 gallons of gas a week; my math says that's at least 28 million a year into the state coffers. This of course does NOT include all the other taxes that support the State. I dont know that we are efficiently using our tax dollars. Does that surprise anyone?

Sorry, I didnt open the link. Apparently I was being way to conservative. The actual ammount of collected gas tax is almost $92 million. Now I really know this state cant manage its money.

Guys, I think there are a couple of ideas that may work in lieu of tolls. First idea, which has been bantied around nationally, Would be to replace the gas tax with a mileage tax. I think if you dropped it to 5 cpg from the 33 cpg, and charged people say 1.5 cents per mile based on about 2/3 rds of the driving in state, you would make up revenue being lost by higher mileage cars. (NOTE!!!! In the next 12 yrs, the average fleet mileage will DOUBLE, thereby cutting the gas tax collected IN HALF) Next would be to dedicate more of that revenue to the DOT, as opposed to other depts.

Secondly, I think we need to stop borrowing money for road repairs. IIRC, almost HALF of the DOT's budget is eaten up by bond payments.

LAstly, as far as the states' obsolete and deficient bridges, we could embark on a program like Colorado does. Impose an extra fee on our registrations to pay for their replacement/refurbishment. Colorado identified over 200 bad bridges, instituted a fee structure, annd has currently replaced about half of them, WITHOUT incurring ANY debt for the future.

Guessing that while you don't want a toll on the Sakonnet Bridge, you're ok with the toll remaining on the Newport Bridge????
Guessing you're ok with people paying a toll on the Newport Bridge AND pay an increase in inspection fees????

Increase the fee for inspection stickers and registration fees could be a solution? How about we do what's really necessary and stop all the State and Municipal entitlements e.g. State Judges retiring with 100% pay yet not working 20 years, State Troopers and Local Police allowed to retire at 20 years, Firefighters retiring with 100% disability, yet somehow they manage to make it to the gym every day. This is the kind of madness that drives the taxpayer nuts. The reason we have some of the highest taxes in the country is simply because we allow it to happen. We might as well throw another tax on the Sakonnet Bridge, it’s all we know how to do. Madness.

Concerned Resident... Before there was a Newport Bridge, you went up through Tiverton and Providence or paid to take the ferry to cross the East Passage. On the other hand, there has always been a way to get from Tiverton to Portsmouth at no cost. The Newport Bridge is over 2 miles long. The Sakonnet River bridge is less than 1/2 mile. The Newport Bridge is a major connector. The Sakonnet River Bridge is a local community link. You really can't compare the two.
However, if there is an increase in inspection or registration fees, the Newport toll should be eliminated too.

many articles have state officials saying what a great job RIBTA has done with the Newport bridge. Frankly, I am terrified to drive over it in GOOD weather. That is how great a job they have done. A 2 mile long bridge that hasnt been paved in 20 years. the Sakonnet bridge was left to rot by the state and had to be replaced. And now they want to toll a bridge, barely over a quarter mile long and give it to the people that have done such a great job on the newport bridge. Yep, good idea.

Stanley works for the ritba...

The only problem with your argument is that social program spending is way bigger that union wages. Read a State Budget sometime.

The more social program spending - the more union jobs.

This isn't a liberal or conservative issue (well maybe on a few esoteric points conservatives- really ones not GOP neo-cons would have a position based on ideology) or a partisan issue. This is about people who live and have livelihoods ON AN ISLAND, who want it for free. That's just plain wrong any way you slice it. What's more it's an entitlement that no other island with even remotely similar GDP enjoys on the whole of the eastern seaboard. What makes A.I. so special that it shouldn't have to pay it's own way in world? Keep in mind that I live and work on the island so let's keep the ad hominems to something relevant.

pay it's own way? like with taxes? Like with the fact that 1/3 of teh GDP of the entire state comes from Newport County. yes, the gas tax gets spent hardly at all in it. The Sakonnet bridge was largely paid for with federal funds. The state hasnt paved 118 in about 20 years, locals call it "offroading" because it is so bad. Basically, the entire county is completely ignored.

and "no other island"? you mean, like Staten Island, or Long island? no tolls on those bridges. and in fact, it is ILLEGAL to toll all roads off an island, which is why the only one they want to toll is the one that you basically cannot get anywhere but the maze of Bristol and Barrington town roads. And do you just liek to ignore the fact that tiveron and Little Compton are not on any islands, yet, if you toll the Sakonnet Bridge, there is not one single way for Tiverton and LC residents to move around in state without either paying a toll or driving through Fall River, Mass. How about we make it so Woonsocket residents cannot get out of town without either paying a toll or driving through Mass? Would that be ok with you?

Dan D, you are spot on. But you are thinking logically. The problem is you live in RI where logic is a rare commodity. You need to start thinking realistically. Realistically, in RI, there is no more money, regardless of where all the GDP comes from. Therefore, A.I. residents will be squeezed for more taxes disguised as a toll. Until this State reels in entitlements, the taxpayer will continue to make up the difference with fees, tolls, taxes, permits, licenses, etc. We can no longer pay to fix our infrastructure because we must pay all the entitlements. We are broke. Welcome to RI. Now be a good boy, reach into your wallet and give the State some more money. It needs it more than you do.

Dan D you are right in all aspects except "it is ILLEGAL to toll all roads off an island" that is an urban myth there are no laws both Federal or State that prohibit tolling all roads on or off an island. That has been stated time and again but it is not true. We need to be vigilant of this because if this toll does go through and more people devert to the Mt Hope that will be tolled next. Don't forget up until 1969 the Jamestown bridge had a toll and that was the only bridge on of off of Conanicut Island.

@ Dan D

Let's see how many inaccuracies there were in that last post:

Newport County is NOT repsonsible for 1/3 of RI's GDP, that's 14 Billion dollars. That's works out to a per capital GDP of 170K or, for comparison, 68K more than the wealthiest nation on earth, Quatar.
There are tolls on every bridge on Staten Island. Some as high as 14 dollars. As a point of fact the only deep channel bridges on the east coast that don't have tolls are in Jacksonville and Charleston. Sanibel Island has a $6 toll one way, the major north-south and east-west access to the poconnos and Delaware Water Gap have tolls, the tourist route into Hilton Head has a toll, nearly every way into the Eastern Shore has tolls as does access to down east Maine and the Jersey Shore. So, what makes Aquidneck Island so damn special? Every tourist destination on the east coast from Virgina Beach northwards has tolls. Why? Because tourism's tax revenue is offset by it's crappy wages and standard of living.
There is no law, anywhere that says a island must have a free bridge.
I am getting sick and tired of the shirll cries ands whines of the substantial population of RI who exhibit childlike imaturity and entitlement. But the lies and false propaganda surrounding this toll is shocking even by my already low estimation of the local populace.You are the poster child of why this is the single most disfunctional place in which I have ever resided.

Stanley, you can’t dismiss his comment completely. I don’t think there's any arguing that all the entitlements this State pays out (retirements, medical, social programs) is the very reason we have no money to fix our infrastructure. We are one of the highest taxed States in the nation, yet we are broke. How? The only way to "Imagine No Toll on the Pell Bridge" is to first get a handle on all of the excessive entitlements in this State, many of which go to unions. "Imagine lower taxes, and No Toll on the Pell Bridge"

For that matter toll all 600+ bridges that exist in RI.

Yes and toll the Jamestown bridge also because that isn't free either but people seem to think it is.

The Pell Bridge was built with RIBTA Bonds. They have always owned the Pell.

The Pell Bridge(Newport) bonds were paid off in 1999, thirty years after the bridge opened.

Ummmm........NONE!!! Joe, you seem to forget that the Pell bridge is NOW as old as the OLD Jamestown bridge was when it closed. Yep, lasted a grand total of 43 yrs thanks to the DOT. Sakonnet???? 59 yrs. Was deemed structually deficient OVER A DECADE AGO!!! Again, thanks to the DOT. PAwtucket River Bridge.......lasted what???? 50 years??? Replaced. Providence Viaduct is 49 yrs old......It too is DONE!!! TRASH!!! All thanks to the DOT.

Pell bridge??? 43 yrs old and expected to last 100. Mt hope bridge is 84 yrs old and still going strong (although, at 2 lanes, I would say it is obsolete) ALL THANKS TO THE RIBTA..

John: the only bridge under the RIBTA is the Pell bridge. and you expect that to last to 100? that bridge is as terrifying as the old Jamestown bridge was. It is practically gravel at this point. but they have a shiny new speedpass booth.

John Coccio , Don't blame DOT for the condition of our roads and bridges. The previous Governors and Legislators diverted funds that should have gone to DOT. Your argument is flawed from the start.

Dan, curently RIBTA is charged with both the Pell and Mt.Hope bridges. According to the Director, they are on a 100 yr life cycle. They at least take the toll revenues and inspect and fix the bridges. Joe, because funds are diverted, as well as the fact that half their budget goes to paying off bonds, they don't inspect or repair until it's too late. Having said that, I want to eliminate ALL the tolls. There is no need for them.

all tolls should be eliminated.

But, whats the point of keeping teh bridge standing if you cant drive over it because it will ruin your car?

Great info!

Naming rights would bring in some money but not enough.

so, none of those people from Mass (or Tiverton and Little Compton) spend a penny in Newport county? That is your argument? Well, i promise this. If they toll the Sakonnet bridge, I will, as a RI resident, forever spend my money in Mass. you will lose the gas taxes collected, the sales taxes collected, and on and on and on. What point would I have to visit RI businesses ever again? why would I go to the markets in Portsmouth instead of Fall River or New Bedford? Im not spending extra money to do a normal shopping. Im not going to Pay an extra $2, $4, $8 whatever to go buy a book at Barnes and Noble, or to the Best Buy, Stop and Shop, Mexican restaurant or whatever simply because I am now TAXED to move around inside my own state with no other avenues around it.

Sorry, I agree with Dan. The only reason I had to shop in RI is that I enjoyed going there instead of to Fall River or Dartmouth. The only way I will pay the toll to go over the bridge is to bring my children to the dentist. I may even look for a new dentist for them.

I guess that makes me a drama "queen" too?

of course, Renee, this person would not be saying this if they were tolling the only road to and from the next town over in their area, with the only avoidance option being a 25 mile hike through another state.

Renee,
Please stop with the garbage... "I may even look for a new dentist for them". 83 cents has got your panties in a bunch.. If you can't pay 83 cents for a trip to the dentist I'm sure you don't pay for the dentist at all... I'm sure the government picks up the tab. Stop whining people...

Dan,

Your wrong about the toll "in our area". We already pay for you freeloaders to cross the bridge. It's time you shared in the fun... FREE LOADERS FROM PORTMOUTH AND TIVERTON..

Hey Stan...I never said I CAN'T. I said I WON'T. Do you need me to explain the difference to you? As for the rest of your post...meh....just shows what kind of person you are.

If the DOT hadn't put up a early cut oft date and held these hearing in Jan I beleive that many More thousands of names would have surfaced on Petitions, I still get calls asking for pickup and delivery. If this effort fails then i think the state will have failed the voters, even now with ways being talked about to stop local tolls on the Pell bridge folks who use it are still complaining, Is the RITBA union that strong? Is the DOT not able to handle this job? Does the Ga think sucking income tax and sales tax money out of Newport County will save business climate in this state? It's way past time for the citizens to speak up, sue and get the Curt Shilling money Put our gas tax and reg fees where they belong, on the roads and bridges

no, we are saying we will not bother with the island at all. When I want to go to SK, for example, it is 42 miles through the island and over teh bridges and takes an hour and 10 minutes. when I go over the top it is 62 miles and takes an hour and 10 minutes. with just the Pell toll, I save a whopping 50 cents each way by going over the island. Add the Sak toll and now i am losing 30 cents. and over the top is a better ride. I do not have to drive over incredibly neglected state roads (138 and 114) because Portsmouth and Middletown roads have been ignore by the state for decades. Im not going to go onto the island at all. People are not saying they are going to drive through fall river and then barrington and bristol to cross the mt hope, they are saying they will never set foot in portsmouth or on the island again.

That all depends on you destination and the time of day. What you say is not universally true time wise though gas wise it may be. Though since time is money the gas isn't the only thing that counts.

Bristol, Warren and Barrington are traffic nightmares due in great part to the $185 million stolen from the East Bay to pay for the new Jamestown bridge.

Assuming no traffic.

Portsmouth to Providence is 28.7 miles 33 minutes through Fall River.

Over the Mt Hope its 22.8 miles, 39 minutes.

OH! He works for RITBA? That explains a lot. Thanks Jim.

Well said, Fake Jim L.

There is no data to support the toll as killing business- in fact the predictions of doom in the wake of the toll increases four years ago on the Pell not only NEVER materialized, Newport county's sales tax revenues beat the national GDP by 2.5 points. You want to work on an island- then pay up or get a job on the mainland. Stop being a cry baby.

You're so pleasant. I bet you just bring a smile to everyone's face everywhere you go! I hope you have a lovely afternoon.

We do pay our share we pay taxes.

@Robert E

And your share of taxes to RIDOT allowed TWO bridges to go to seed 20-30 years earlier than planned. Every other state with the kind of cantilevered bridge that failed in Minneapolis at least maintained the bolts and pins such that they could modify them in a cost effective manner. But not RI. We have to tear both of them down and start from scratch- who does that? Dumb people and the dumb taxpayers who foot the bill.

Meanwhile RIBTA has kept one of the most poorly designed suspension bridges in North America running despite design flaws, poor climate (same as the Sakonnet) ,and an annual gross tonnage that is DOUBLE the original design estimate and the fact that beholden to some of the dumbest dumb people in New England. From my research it has never flunked an independent, federal or state inspection. The same can be said of the NEW Jamestown bridge- replaced after RIDOT let the old one go to seed 15 years too early- and, for twenty years, the Mt. Hope bridge- none of which have ever had lower weight restrictions put in place because of poor maintenence.

Do you complain that the Jamestown doesn't have a toll? It should because everyone should pay their own way.

If you don't like paying a toll do something about it but don't bash us that are trying to do something. You feel we should pay our fair share but you don't want to pay your fair share the reason your tolll would go up if they don't toll the Sakonnet is because it is costing more to maintain the bridge you use. None of your toll money is going tword the Sakonnet but if they put a toll on the Sakonnet we will be subsidizing your bridge. Just because you are willing to be screwed by the state does not mean we have to stand for it. If you don't want to stand up to the state and do somethig about the toll on the Newport bridge don't complain to us.

Sure you would Stan. If you're going to act like an ass then everyone should treat you like one. You're just complaining because you have to commute over the Newport bridge and have to pay a toll. You have no problem saying you don't care about a Jamestown bridge toll, but then you whine that you don't want an increase on Newport. Well you know what, too bad. Let them raise the toll in Newport so you can then know how it feels, and if you don't like it move to the other side of the bridge

FPR - There's something wrong with you it you think that any and all should pay additional for the likes of you to cross a bridge for zippo......sounds like a union type comment. Bet you don't have an issue with the toll on the Pell Bridge.
The countdown has begun as toll’s need to and will be charged to cross the Sakonnet Bridge and guess what - life will go on AND / OR as you stated, move to the other sidew of the bridge.

CR what I am saying is that if you put a toll on the Sak then I just won't cross it. I will limit my trips to Ports just like I have basically eliminated going to Newport. When I do have to go into Ports I will use the Mt Hope. It's a shorter distance for me anyways. I am not going to suffer but the businesses will along with traffic in Bristol if a bunch of people like me follow suit. As far as riding for free, this bridge has never been tolled. The state is looking for another money grab. Let this happen and they will start and toll every road once they pave them. Then it will be Rte 95, then 195 and so on. After a while people will just move from RI or not come here to begin with. The state got greedy with the sales tax so what do most people do? They go to Mass. I won't buy liquor in this state anymore. Why pay tax when I don't have to. The state can do what they want but I use my wallet to hit back

FPR – you don’t have to cross the Sakonnet Bridge to get to Ports? You will limit your trips to ports if when they put a toll on the Sak?? The free Mt Hope Bridge offers you a shorter distance to Ports anyways??? You should really take a look in the mirror asking who you are really trying to hurt and who you are going to hurt when something takes place that won’t affect you. What will you do when the debate shifts to Mt Hope Bridge tolls for bridge repairs?? Its attitudes such as yours that contributes a business unfriendly state!!!!!!
Get ready: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JgeNhF5znZY

CR: people like me, in Tiverton and Little Compton will no longer be able to even get to another part of the state without paying a toll. Portsmouth and middle town will lose a ton of business from us, and the people in surrounding Mass areas. I spend thousands of dollars per year on the island which will evaporate if a toll goes in. So, is the RIBTA collecting $50 or $80 a year from me worth $3-4000 in lost business? I guarantee the sales tax I pay is far greater than whatever the tolls will garner. so, put up a toll, people wont pay it like they think AND they lose our sales taxes to Mass. Yep, smart move.

CR - Who am I trying to hurt? The question is why is the state hurting me? If the state wants to toll this it is them that is creating a business unfriendly state. Just as businesses are forced off the island, or have to raise prices to make up for their lost revenue, I also am forced to make choices. My choice is to go where it's cheaper and keep more money in my wallet. See I can't be like the state and just demand more money from my boss when I go over my budget, I have to make cuts to survive. The state can do what they want, but realize the citizens can also. That's why people and businesses are leaving in droves.

DD, as you wrote “people like me” is the true crux of the issue as except for the obvious me me me, your dialog that doesn't make sense.
Based on your numbers:
You make 50 round trips per year = to less than 1 trip / week = $83 MAX / yr cost.
You currently shop eat etc on the island to the tune of upwards of $4000 / yr - do tell why you currently spend this money on the island.....and don't give me that I'm supporting local business crap.
What do Newport residents do when they want to shop at the malls, etc?? Guessing that's ok with you BECAUSE it's not you.
Oh yea, you seem to be short sighted in saying that you can get to another part of the state without paying a toll....untrue!
In the end the tolls are coming and after a cooling off period the world...at least your world will return to a sense of normalcy. You can put your big boy pants on now or later.

FPR, so let's review shall we -
the state is going to do something that has you up in arms
the state is going to do something that doesn't affect you but somehow hurts you
the state is going to force you into a position by doing something that doesn't affect you
you're going to punish businesses that are not responsible for changes THAT does not affect you
your logic is extremely flawed........you must be a union employee
WOW!

CR let me set the record straight. Yes the state is doing something that has me up in arms - they are talking more of my money. The state is doing something that doesn't affect me but hurts me - Wrong it does affect me as I regularly travel over the Sak bridge. The state is going to force me into a position - Not 100% true. I am choosing my right to avoid these tolls by instead going thru Bristol. A little more of an inconvenience because of the time spent on Metacom, but a shorter distance drive to me. I'd rather do this than give one nickle for the bridge toll. I am going to punish businesses - wrong again. I am affected and will use my right to go elsewhere. Businesses will suffer not because of me "punishing" them, but because I will change my decisions on where I eat and shop based on what the state is doing. They are the ones punishing the businesses. I just have to find a way to get the most for my money and paying this toll is not a necessity. Just like I do not shop at Providence Place mall because they charge to park there, I will go to another mall where it is free. Just like I buy liquor in Mass because there is no sales tax. Like I said the state can do what they want, and I strongly oppose this, but I will not be a sheep and keep handing over my money. Fortunately I am not a prisoner to this toll like the folks in Little Compton or parts of Tiverton as they have no choice.

Tolling would hurt the economy of the island. Economically, it make NO sense. the bridge will not be maintained anyway. Just like the Pell bridge isnt maintained, but they will build better toll booths instead of paving it!

Perhaps the toll would keep people from LEAVING the island and the effect would counter the loss of people no longer coming to the island. Any data to support that theory?

10:08 am on Wednesday, February 20, 2013

The Sakonnet is under the jurisdiction of DOT . The Newport is under the RITBA. Tell the RITBA not to except the extra responsibility , and give the Mt Hope back to the State. I don't have to be defensive since I'm right . The new RITBA building was not needed or voted on by the Tax Payers or Toll payers. Out of control spending by an unelected board.

I already pay on the Pell too. But I wont pay double. I also wont pay to move around inside my own county! Now we have to pay just to go to the county seat on county business? no, and no. Gotta go to the DMV and I gotta pay a toll? no. that is just wrong. What part of this do you not understand. a toll on the Sakonnet bridge is TOLLING US OFF FROM THE ENTIRE STATE.

JL, although I haven't seen your petition, I'm sure that there is at least one petition plan detailing with how maintenance costs are to be paid WITHOUT affecting those that do not use the sakonnet bridge......especially those that already pay to cross the newport bridge. Are you aware of the petition by those objecting to any increased taxes and or service fees to pay for a bridge that the majority could care less about? I suggest you do the math to see how many will sign the petition. Just like death and taxes the tolls are coming to the sakonnet bridge.....get used to it.

get used to the significant loss in sales and gas tax income the state used to get once the tolls go in. anyone who lives on the island will be affected by this. Expect housing prices to suffer and businesses to close. and millions and million of lost revenue. The state will rake in about a million bucks a year and lose $50 million in tax revenue. Even a moron could see that.

Stan yoi chose to pay a toll it's your choice, you took a job that requires toll, why because that why the bridge was built To CREAT jobs, and bring folks spending money to Newport Folls use that bridge for to reasons to go to jobs they choe to accept on the other side of it, and to go to NEWPORT, not Middletown or POrtsmouth, tiverto nor little Compton and Adamsville, Inother words it was built to benefit NEWPORT, so suck it up stan, sit in your chair at Am Vets with a few other bridge workers and get ready because your free ride is over, but maybe you can work for the Pprtsmouh DOT, why you could even Maintan the new bridge instead of cutting the grass at ri bridge central

JL, I appreciate you understanding that citizens (IE VOTERS) do make a difference and since the majority of RI residents DO NOT want to pay higher taxes and or fee's for you to cross the Sakonnet Bridge for zippo you will accept the inevitable of tolls.

so, when does teh majority of teh state freak out about supporting the failed cities in Central Falls, Pawtucket and Coventry? Why am I paying for rt 102 in Foster to be repaved when no one travels it? oh, the logic of people that want to make others pay the bills. All we want is a fair shake, which we never ever get over here. 1/3 yes a full THIRD of the economy of RI is generated by Newport County. So, why are we paying for the rest of the state?

DD, just like with the Sakonnet Bridge maintenance except for the Central Falls, Pawtucket and Coventry no one wants to support them. You seem to be reaching again talking about other area roads WHILE forgetting about the ones you drive on. You argument would have carried more weight if you would have protested all tolls.....but you didn't as it was only what was affecting you. Guess what, a few more hours and the tolls will be a day closer to reality.

Dan you can't rebuild the Stonebridge that would be illegal the RITBA had the state build a non-compete clause into the law.
TITLE 24
Highways
CHAPTER 24-12
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
SECTION 24-12-38
§ 24-12-38 Covenant against competition. – The state covenants and agrees with the holders of any bonds or obligations of the authority that the state will not authorize or permit the construction, operation, and maintenance of any additional facility for the transportation of passenger vehicles by any person or body other than the authority within a distance of ten (10) miles in either direction from any project financed by the authority under the provisions of this chapter.

so, Stan, are you willing to give up the excess funds your town gets to equalize it and pay your fair share? we get next to nothing from teh millions in taxes we pay. Maybe we should just secede back to Mass. at least we wouldnt have to pay a toll in order to travel within our own state (which we would be the only place in the country that exists.)

Fool Fits well,

you keep saying that, but I keep saying the same thing. I wont. at all. RI will lose 10% of it's GDP simply by putting this toll in.

maybe im doing my math wrong. on a regular weekly basis just to go to work i go to fall river then back to portsmouth. on sat i pick up my granddaughter in new bedford bring her to portsmouth then back to her house and i come back home. thats not counting doctor appts my husband has in fall river. i was told it was going to be $4.oo each way. i dont know if this is correct or not. the other day someone else told me portsmouth residents could pay one yearly fee and cross over whenever. is this true????

The Pell should not be tolled, that is teh whole point of this article. Get your head out of your you-know-what.

jiml, no options?? you seem to have all the answers except what you don't want to see. your postings show how truly short sighted you are WHILE looking after the proverbial number 1 me me me me me while looking for others to pay your way.

jiml, there you go again. guessing that NO out of state drivers use the sakonnet bridge AND it would be ok the raise the pell tolls to ensure that you can drive for zippo. guessing it's only people crossing the sakonnet bridge spent money on the island. oh yea and that same rep rightfully supports the toll on the sakonnet.

Jim L, do you even read the comments? Try calling out the CORRECT people when you speak.

no, the Pell toll should only be raised if you people who use it continue to push for a toll that cuts off tiverton from the rest of the state as punishment for your own stupidity. Otherwise, we want the Pell toll removed too. Did you not read anything? or so you just come on her to stir stuff up?

how is it free? we (the people of Newport County) pay millions each year in gas taxes without seeing a single penny sent to our infrastructure. the Sakonnet bridge was built with federal money. but, you want free travel, go into Providence and the $500 million i-way. Paid for by everyone in the state. including us. while, West Main Road is practically dirt at this point.

js, no, here YOU go again....guessing you must be a jr high student!

SM, good point and best of all, it appears the toll will be similar to border security keeping the likes of Joe off the island.

fall river ihop presents a problem for everyone because there isn't one. The nerest ihop is in newport the next nerest is in new bedford. If you are trying to insualt someone at least get your facts streight or else you come off sounding like a fool.

bobbye, no not everyone just those that will refuse to cross the bridge and oh yea - doesn't appear that grammar and spelling is your strong point!

Who cares how the guy spells and whether or not he uses correct grammar. Are you five?

jimmiel, talk about tunnel vision.........seems it's all about me me me me without regards to paying for upkeep on the new bridge. the majority can see the obvious in the few trying to get others to pay for your way. really how you forget to talk about the pell tolls. once again put your big boy pants on and realize that tolls are coming and it will not be the end of the world as the few would have others believe. once again, grow up.

Let's take these one at a time:
Yes, the bridge has to be paid for but we need to do it the smart way........guessing a smart way including eliminating impacting you.
Once again another that feels a toll on the sakonnet is not right while letting pell tolls continue.

SB, so let all get this straight - for $1.66 you will not eat where you've been eating? be real as there’s a reason that you eat on the island.
how about these past statements:
when gas hits $1.00 gallon I'll walk.
when ciggs hit $1.00 a pack I'll quit
when they charge $2.00 to cross the newport bridge - I won't
on on on on on .....bottom line is that people do what they want when they want so please quit with the scare tactics as you and I both know that most if not all will not let a toll stop any enjoyment.
oh yea and your another that seems to be ok with the pell toll
finally, suck it up because the tolls are coming.

Concerned Resident... That is correct. I have 4 EZ Pass transponders from Mass. So, I would pay more than an extra $1.66. Where do you draw the line? I'm already going to have to pay a toll to go to work. That money has to come from somewhere so, my leisure money is less. With less leisure money, my choice is NOT spend it on tolls.
When gas hit $2.00, I sold my gas guzzler and bought a small fuel efficient car.
When Cigarettes hit $3.00, I quit smoking.
I don't normally cross the Newport Bridge but, my understanding that the ferry it replaced was not free either so, there has never been a free way to cross there.
Oil for my house has surpassed $3.90/gal. so I now have a wood burning stove. Yes, I paid $225 for a cord but, I have only had one oil delivery this year instead of the 3 that I had at this point last year.
I will suck it up and pay the tolls to get to work. However, that will leave me with somewhere between $33.20 (your instate rate) and $80.00 (my out of state EZ Pass) each month to spend on leisure. I will stay closer to home and, frankly, be able to afford to go out less often when the tolls get implemented.

stibro, guessing you’re saying that if the sakonnet had a toll all along all would be ok, wow. through your thriftiness in apparently owning 4 vehicles while deciding to pay the ever increasing price for gas and the soon to be sakonnet bridge out of state toll to get to work and for dinner or drinks or other entertainment is a little confusing to me but who am I to judge. In the end I will tell you in advance that I and many other RI residents’ thank you in advance for paying a higher (out of state) toll ensuring that the bridge is well maintained for you to get to work and possible dinner or drinks or other entertainment.

CR... I have 4 transponders. Not 4 cars. One for me, one for my spouse, one for my child who travels the MassPike to get to a state college and one on my father's car. He lives near Boston and lost his pension after spending his entire career with a company that went bankrupt and out of business soon after he retired. The least I can do for him is pay for his transponder after all he did for me.
Please don't be confused. I can help my child and my father precisely because I AM thrifty.

stilbro, Ok so you have 4 transponders covering your household of 3 vehicles and 1 for your dad. I’m not confused and really none of my business who you assist. although I commend you for helping out your dad I’m not sure why you feel the need to tell his unfortunate story on this blog. what is my business is when people want and expect me to pay their way. also, I’m guessing that you are also protesting the tolls on the mass pike and whatever tolls your dad is accessing – paying or is tolls ok in mass and not ri???
dialog such as this is great as it exposes much including the real intent of the few……..I hope you’re reading what you write.

roberto, it is a dream to think that the pell toll will disappear. the major point is where will the funds be generated to pay for either or.....the current painting of the pell is $100M. While I would like to see no tolls on either one has to be a realist - other than that you are looking at another tax.....not that taxes are an issue in this state.

jimmy, please be real, once again I will make the point that your world was good with the pell toll while you were crossing the sakonnet for zippo

roberto, while I would always agree that it good to re-examine our entire tax structure you seem to be stuck with the idea that taxes we now have will change "soon". so let's give you that concept that taxes will soon change after re-examination - with that being said lets be safe placing tolls on the sakonnet until the changes take place "then the state can remove all tolls when changes take effect.