Tolls Protest Planned For Sakonnet River Bridge Opening Ceremony

Tiverton STOP is looking to shift the focus to the growing momentum behind East Bay's anti-toll movement at Friday morning's opening ceremony for the new Sakonnet River Bridge.

The state Department of Transportation's RSVP-only opening ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the bridge deck of the old Sakonnet River Bridge this Friday. Both DOT Director Michael P. Lewis and Gov. Lincoln Chafee will attend.

"We would like to ask all our members, if they are available, to please attend the ceremony," said Joy Gilkeson, one of Tiverton STOP's organizaers, in an email on Tuesday. "A small "NO TOLLS" poster or sign would also be great.  We'd like to ask that all posters be respectful and that everyone refrain from name calling, etc."

Tiverton STOP held its launch meeting last Thursday, Sept. 4. One of the group's goals is to increase visibility of the East Bay's opposition to the tolls by placing citizen activists - and their signs - at events like this one.

East Bay residents have gathered 15,000 to 20,000 signatures on petitions in opposition to the tolls.

According to a DOT press release, for directions to the parking lot near the bridge deck of the original structure, take I-195 East to Route 24 South to Exit 5 (Main Rd.). Take a left off of the exit. Take the first right where a police officer will guide you to the closed on-ramp to the old bridge. Please park on the
bridge deck.