Tuesday, February 12, 2013
The Senate Committee on Finance will hear testimony from residents, town officials and business owners across Tiverton, Little Compton and the East Bay on Wednesday.
The Senate Committee on Finance will hear testimony from residents, town officials and business owners on two bills regarding the repeal of the Sakonnet River Bridge transfer. Town Administrator James Goncalo urged community members to attend the hearing, which will be on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m. in room 313 at the State House in Providence. "The senate is looking primarily for statements from business people in here and in Tiverton," said Councilor Jay J. Lambert. "They are looking to keep those statements to around 2 minutes." For anyone who wants to attend and needs a ride, a bus will be available. Please contact Tiverton STOP via email tivertonStop@gmail.com or phone at 401-835-5021. Previously, local legislators said the county's …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
State Department of Transportation officials said the Route 24 southbound ramp could open as soon as March.
State Department of Transportation (DOT) officials said on Wednesday that the Route 24 southbound ramp could open in March. Cardi Corporation continues work to complete the Sakonnet River Bridge project. Overnight work on the embankment near the bridge is related to reopening the southbound Route 24 ramp on Main Road, said Charles St. Martin, a DOT spokesman, on Wednesday. "Main road will be reopening most likely in march," said St. Martin. "Some of the work that is happening for the next few weeks at night is related to that ramp." The reopening timeline, however, is tentative as much of the construction is weather permitting. "One issue is that the ramp needs to be paved and the asphalt plants are closed statewide for wintertime," …
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Residents create a vanity plate to protest the oll on the Sakonnet River Bridge.
Monday, January 7, 2013
The DOT will accept written testimonials on the impact of a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge through Jan. 18.
The following is based on a press release from the state Department of Transportation. Residents must submit personal statements to the state Department of Transportation (DOT) on how a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge would impact their lives by Jan. 18. All comments will be included the DOT's environmental impact survey to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Ultimately the FHWA will rule on whether a toll can be installed on the Sakonnet River Bridge, based upon the findings of the environmental and economic impact statements. According to DOT Director Michael P. Lewis, the reports will be filed with the FHWA by the end of the month. In December the DOT held hearings in Portsmouth and Tiverton to hear residents concerns on the …
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
The state Department of Transportation Director Michael P. Lewis cut off Tuesday's toll hearing in Tiverton just after midnight, directing residents who did not get to speak to submit written comments.
Director Michael P. Lewis of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) ended Tuesday's toll hearing just after midnight on Tuesday, cutting off commentary from speakers. The five-hour public hearing featured a steady line of residents, all but one who were in opposition to the placement of a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge. The informational public hearing was conducted as part of the DOT's evaluation of the environmental impact a toll would have on the community, businesses and surrounding infrastructure and will be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) by the end of January 2013. "The meeting was advertised until 10 p.m. and the meeting the night before ended around 10:30 or 10:45 p.m.," said Charles St. Martin, an …
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Hundreds of residents turned out for the first of two bridge toll hearings on Monday night in Portsmouth.
Michael P. Lewis, director of the Department of Transportation (DOT), opened the first of two bridge toll hearings on Monday evening in Portsmouth. The second hearing will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Tiverton High School. Many audience members held "no toll" signs. Lewis also encouraged residents to fill out a comment sheet. "The bulk of the hearing is for you," Lewis said. "We will be here as long as you need it tonight." Lewis began with a history of the proposal. In the 2013 budget, the governor approved the authorization to transfer ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA). "The transfer has not happened yet," Lewis said. The Sakonnet River Bridge will be complete in spring…
Monday, December 3, 2012
The first of two hearings will be held tonight at 7 p.m. at Portsmouth High School.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has organized two workshops this week to allow the public to learn more and ask questions about the financial challenges the state faces in maintaining four of Rhode Island’s largest bridges, and the possibility of tolling the Sakonnet River Bridge. Where and when The first workshop is set for Monday, Dec. 3, at Portsmouth High School from 7 - 10 p.m., according to a press release. The second workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Tiverton High School. Also from 7-10 p.m. In addition to speaking at the workshops, the public will have the opportunity to provide written comment on the proposal. RIDOT is hosting these meetings to gain public input on the possible location of a tolling …
Robert E
2:56 am on Wednesday, February 13, 2013
What makes you think the toll money will go to maintain the bridge RI has a long tradition of taking money raised for one thing and using it for another. How do you think RIDOT was defunded in the first place. Ones the GA sees the money being raised they won't be able to keep their hand off it. A perfict example is the College Bound Fund Parents are investing their money in the fund so that their… more ›