Monday, May 6, 2013
Former Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk said it is important for Aquidneck Island to have a voice on the RITBA board
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board voted Wednesday to re-elect David Darlington, of North Kingstown, as chairman and Former Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk as vice chairman. Waluk was initially appointed to the RITBA board by Governor Carcieri in 2005 and was recently reappointed by Governor Chafee for another four year term. "I am happy to be re-elected as Vice Chair of the RITBA," said Waluk. "It is important that Newport and Aquidneck Island have a voice on this board." Last year, Rhode Island's General Assembly approved to move two additional bridges into RIBTA's jurisdiction and install tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge to fund the maintenance. The law has been met by strong opposition by East Bay lawmakers and …
Friday, April 5, 2013
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will hold two toll workshops this Saturday in Portsmouth.
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will hold two bridge toll workshops this Saturday at the Roger Williams University Conference Center, reports The Sakonnet Times. The first workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. The second workshop will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. All residents are encouraged to attend these meetings. Additionally, the RITBA will host a virtual meeting and video conference on Google Plus athttp://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 public to have the opportunity to provide their input about tolling and the types of discounts…
Friday, March 8, 2013
DOT plans to begin tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge this summer are stalled, pending federal approval.
Plans to install tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge still await federal approval, despite comments by state Department of Transportation Director Michael P. Lewis to a legislative committee on Thursday that tolling would be implemented this summer. DOT Spokesman Bryan Lucier clarified remarks Lewis made during the hearing before the House Finance Subcommittee on Transportation. He told Patch Friday afternoon that plans to implement tolls are stalled, as the state awaits an answer from the Federal Highway Administration on its application to impose tolls on Route 24. "We are still waiting for word from the Federal Highway Administration regarding our application — the re-evaluation," Lucier said. "That's kind of where we stand. Obviously …
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
A piece of legislation will be debated today that would stop the toll proposal as well as prevent rate hikes on the Newport Pell Bridge.
A piece of legislation will be heard by the Senate Finance Committee today that would not only avoid tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge, but also prevent toll hikes on the Newport Pell Bridge and prevent the reinstatement of tolls on the Mount Hope Bridge. It was introduced by Senators Louis DiPalma, Walter S. Felag Jr., Christopher S. Ottiano, David E. Bates and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed. How the Bridges are Paid for Today A quasi-public agency, called the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA), is responsible for the Newport Pell Bridge and the Mount Hope Bridge. Its five-member board is appointed by the governor. Currently, RIBTA does not receive state or local tax revenue. It pays for the maintenance of the …
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Tiverton's legislators told the Town Council on Monday that any plans to subvert tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge would need to fill a $17 million funding gap.
Tiverton's legislative delegation told the Town Council on Monday that any efforts to undermine the the placement of tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge would need to address a $17 million annual funding shortfall. According to Sen. Louis P. DiPalma, to maintain Newport County's four bridges - the Newport Pell Bridge, Jamestown Verrazzano Bridge, Mt. Hope Bridge, and the Sakonnet - will cost the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) $38 million annually over the next 10 years. Effectively, the revenues from a Sakonnet River Bridge toll would do more to pay for maintenance projects on the RITBA's other older bridges, as the Sakonnet River Bridge is a state-of-the-art new construction, said Rep. John G. Edwards (D-Dist. Dist. 70…
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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 …
Friday, April 27, 2012
The page's message seeks effort to fight "this shortsighted tax on our communities."
Opposition continues to build in the East Bay against proposed tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge. The latest effort happened Monday, when the "No Tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge" Facebook page launched. The administrator, Christy Nadalin of Bristol, said Thursday she's looking to make everyone aware of the situation. As of 5 p.m. Thursday the page had 25 "likes." Currently, Gov. Lincoln Chafee's budget calls to transfer ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RIBTA). In a move to create a new revenue stream for fiscally-strapped Rhode Island, putting tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge has been proposed if RIBTA maintains it. …
Jim L
3:38 am on Monday, April 8, 2013
BD at least Joe Sousa and myself put are names out right in front, about the tolls and anything else, you still play the Tiverton 1st hit dog and attack us against the TOLLS? very, very point less!!!! more ›