Sakonnet River Bridge Tolls to Begin July 10

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced Wednesday a start date to tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge, only a day after lawmakers discussed an article to postpone tolls until April. 

Tolls will begin on July 10 on the new Sakonnet River Bridge, reports EastBayRI.com. 

David Darlington, RITBA chairman, said the board decided Wednesday to activate tolls on July 10, according to EastBayRI.com. 

The decision comes only a day after House Democrats proposed an article to the state budget that would defer toll collection until April 2014 and establish a commission to study alternative revenue raising options.

The article would push off toll collection until April and form a nine-member commission that would meet for six months throughout the summer and fall to study alternative revenue-generating options that could support the four East Bay bridges.

The commission would be composed of three representatives, three senators, the director of the state Department of Transportation, the director of the state Turnpike and Bridge Authority and the director of the state Department of Administration. It would have until Jan. 15 to present its findings.

Darlington previously said if tolls don't go in on the Sakonnet River Bridge this year, tolls on the Newport Pell Bridge would likely rise. 

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