Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Local legislators said they would continue efforts to repeal tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge despite an RITBA decision establishing a toll rate structure today.
East Bay legislators said they are not giving up on efforts to block tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge following Wednesday's decision by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to establish toll rates. Lawmakers and residents from East Bay communities have argued that a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge could discourage tourists and have significant impacts on the the local economy. "They are using the Sakonnet River Bridge as a cash cow for more than $20 million to be sucked out of our economy in the East Bay to support the [Newport] Pell and Mt. Hope bridges," said Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70 Portsmouth, Tiverton) in response to the the RITBA decision to move forward and establish a tolling rate on the Sakonnet River …
Friday, April 5, 2013
The meeting will be held this Saturday
On Saturday, April 6, officials from the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) will be on hand to hear input and provide information about its process for setting toll rates. RITBA will host two open houses: one from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and then another from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 at the Roger Williams University Bay Point Inn and Conference Center, 144 Anthony Road, Portsmouth (also known as the former Ramada Inn site). Additionally, RITBA will host a virtual meeting and video conference on Google Plus at http://bit.ly/WYxwGh from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. as another avenue for residents to discuss details with RITBA officials. “As we have done in the past when considering new tolls or increasing existing tolls, we would like the …
Friday, February 22, 2013
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has contacted the State Police after two men allegedly climbed the Mount Hope Bridge last October and posted the video on YouTube.
Two men, who allegedly climbed the Mount Hope Bridge this past fall and posted the video on YouTube, are apparently keeping a low profile, reports The Sakonnet Times. The incident, which occurred in October, was reported to the State Police by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, according to the Times. The video, which did not show the actual climb, has also apparently been removed from YouTube, the article says. The Mount Hope Bridge spans Portsmouth and Bristol, and reaches a height of 285 feet. Climbing the bridge is illegal and extremely dangerous.
Friday, June 22, 2012
E-ZPass users will now be able to drive the the Newport Pell Bridge plaza without stopping.
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Friday, June 22, 2012
In the wee hours of the morning today, open road tolling in Rhode Island became a reality. Drivers with E-ZPass transponders can now drive through the Newport Pell Bridge plaza without stopping. In response to public feedback, RITBA added open road tolling (ORT) and removed the gates from the E-ZPass-only lanes. Vehicles equipped with E-ZPass transponders have the exclusive use of the new left lanes. Motorists paying by cash will experience no changes, other than reduced lines at the gated lanes as E-ZPass users divert to the ORT lanes. “Drive safely, pay attention as you approach the plaza, and choose the correct lane,” said David Darlington, chairman of Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. “If you are paying cash, stay right…
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Sakonnet River Bridge is currently 40 days past its completion date.
Despite the new Sakonnet River Bridge's northbound lanes opening in July, the bridge's ownership transfer to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority could take some time. "It's going to be a process," said Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesman Bryan D. Lucier. On Friday, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced they intend to bring tolls to the new Sakonnet River Bridge. The decision followed the General Assembly's approval of a plan in the governor's budget to transfer the bridge's ownership from the DOT to the Turnpike and Bridge Authority. The budget was signed into law Friday. The implementation of tolls, however, is not expected to delay the bridge's construction. "We're moving forward," Lucier said…
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Gates have been removed in the left lanes, which will be exclusively used open road tolling.
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The following is a press release from the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority is pleased to announce that open road tolling is just days away. We want to inform you about the changes to the Newport Pell Bridge plaza so you can be ready to be in the correct lane. The new left lanes are for the exclusive use of vehicles with E-ZPass transponders only. The gates have been removed so you can drive through without stopping. You can still use the gated lanes if you prefer because E-ZPass will be accepted in all lanes. The new open road tolling lanes will open at the end of June. New road signs will appear shortly to help drivers navigate to their correct lanes. Because of the many …
Saturday, June 16, 2012
The Newport bridge will not increase tolls on the Newport Pell Bridge on July 1 as originally planned.
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Saturday, June 16, 2012
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) will not be increasing tolls on the Newport Pell Bridge on July 1. In February, the board had voted to raise revenue needed to fund bridge maintenance by moderately increasing the cash and E-ZPass rates unless a separate new toll was approved by state lawmakers. On June 8 and 11, the R.I. House and R.I. Senate, respectively, passed the FY13 budget; and today, the Governor signed it. Contained within is the institution of tolling on the newly rebuilt Sakonnet River Bridge. Ownership of the Sakonnet Bridge will be transferred from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to RITBA, who will manage the tolling, maintenance and operations. The Jamestown Bridge will also become RITBA’s…
Friday, May 18, 2012
The RITBA Board of Directors approved a contract to improve road conditions on the Newport Pell Bridge.
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Friday, May 18, 2012
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board of directors this week approved a contract for $1,035,916 to improve the road conditions on the Newport Pell Bridge. Aetna Bridge Company of Pawtucket will use a microgrinding process to smooth out the multiple concrete patches on the bridge. “As part of the ongoing maintenance of the bridge deck, we have been extending the life of the deck by patching minor damage to it before it becomes a bigger problem,” said David Darlington, chairman of the board. “This process has delayed the need for a costly and inconvenient full replacement of the bridge deck. The accumulation of patches has left the road surface rough, and microgrinding will even it out and provide a smoother riding experience…
Saturday, May 5, 2012
State Rep. Stephen Ucci (D-Johnston, Cranston) has proposed a bill to give holders of EZ-Pass accounts a tax credit — what do you think?
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Saturday, May 5, 2012
A Johnston legislator has proposed a tax credit to EZ-Pass account holders who use the electronic payment system to cross the Newport Bridge. Rep. Stephen R. Ucci (D-Johnston, Cranston) said in a press release that the bill is meant to help drivers recover some of the cost of using the Newport Bridge. "It’s an added expense to have to travel across a toll bridge constantly," Ucci explained. "Some of these folks have to use their EZ-Pass five days per week just to get to and from work. In this economy, everyone needs a little extra assistance and this specific population of people is getting hammered with fees." According to the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority website, Rhode Island residents pay $25 to activate an account and up …
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The Newport County Chamber of Commerce unanimously voted to oppose increasing the toll on the Newport Pell Bridge and tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge.
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Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Information provided by the Newport County Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Directors of the Newport County Chamber of Commerce has unanimously voted to oppose any and all tolls or toll increases on both the Newport Pell Bridge and the Sakonnet River Bridge. Any additional tolls would place an additional and unfair burden on Newport Pell and Sakonnet Bridge users, especially Aquidneck Island businesses, residents, and border state commuters. Additional tolls would: The Board also expressed concern that a comprehensive analysis of the economic impact to the existing and future business environment, cost of living, and employment and workforce, has not been completed. The Chamber will forward copies of its resolution to local, state and …
michael
6:28 pm on Friday, April 19, 2013
Another way of nickel and diming us to death.It is bad enough that water taxes have gone up another 41%.This town/island is just another example of local and state government holding hands to get more money from you the over burdend tax payer.Its always over the top with these people.I think that's why,or at least one small reason why,the people of this country,as a whole,are just about at their … more ›