Thursday, May 30, 2013
A U.S. District Court judge decided ruled that the court would not block tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge during a hearing in chambers on Wednesday.
A federal judge refused to grant a restriction that would block tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge during a hearing Wednesday afternoon, according to a Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority official. The town of Portsmouth submitted a request for a restraining order against toll collection pending the outcome of a lawsuit that could reverse the Federal Highway Administration's decision to allow tolling. Senior Judge Ronald R. Lagueux ruled this afternoon to allow the RITBA to continue its move toward toll collection and also delayed allowing Tiverton and Bristol from joining the Portsmouth lawsuit against tolls. "The 1st of July is our timeframe at this point [to start collection]," said David Darlington, RITBA chairman. "We are …
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
A U.S. District Court judge has scheduled a hearing for this afternoon.
The town of Portsmouth's request for a restraining order against further construction of tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge will be heard at a hearing this afternoon in U.S. District Court, but it might be too late. A U.S. District Court judge has scheduled a hearing on the order for this afternoon, reports The Associated Press. However, the request might be too late. The state Department of Transportation completed installating a toll gantry or open-road toll system on the new Sakonnet River Bridge last Friday, before the Memorial Day weekend. The system will take weeks to test, but tolls are expected to begin in early July. The restraining order request is part of a lawsuit filed by the town of Portsmouth in reaction to bridge …
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
The Tiverton Town Council is considering joining Portsmouth in its lawsuit against the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and DOT Director.
[Updated at 7:39 p.m.] The Tiverton Town Council will join Portsmouth in a lawsuit against several defendants, including the state's Department of Transportation director and the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. The Tiverton Town Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to join the lawsuit, according to witnesses at the meeting. The Portsmouth Town Council recently filed a complaint in U.S. District Court in an effort to stop bridge tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge. The lawsuit accuses the RITBA and Michael Lewis, director of the DOT, of violating the Federal-Aid Highway Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. Meanwhile, the DOT installed a toll gantry or electronic toll system over the new Sakonnet River Bridge…
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority will install open-road toll booths by Memorial Day weekend.
An open-road toll system will be installed on the new Sakonnet River Bridge by this Memorial Day weekend, reports ABC6.com. Despite pending legislation against the bridge's transfer, a lawsuit filed by the town of Portsmouth and widespread local opposition to tolls, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority plans to install an open-road toll system before the holiday weekend, according to ABC6.com. The cost to install open-road tolling totals as much as $2 million, the RITBA chairman previously stated to Patch. The cost for the arbor, or arch over the bridge, costs about $400,000 alone. Costs are added for the transmitters, cameras and other electronics in the arbor. RITBA previously approved a toll schedule of $.75 for vehicles …
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Seasonal businesses across the East Bay speak out against tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge.
Seasonal business owners in the East Bay are worried that a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge could alienate their already inconstant business. In a business that is largely motivated by weather, business owners at Tiverton and Portsmouth's popular summer-time eateries agreed that a toll would be a deterrent to customers. "The sales tax dollars from small businesses over here help the whole state and I can't imagine we're going to end up making more by adding this toll," said Domenic Bitto, who owns the Tiverton seafood shack Evelyn's Drive-In with his wife. Bitto, like other business owners in the region attended hearings with the state Department of Transportation in protest to a Sakonnet River Bridge toll. "We get a lot of people who …
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Residents in Portsmouth and Tiverton say they plan to drive around the Sakonnet River Bridge to avoid bridge tolls.
Bridge tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge are not expected to begin until this summer, but area residents are already changing their daily routes to avoid these extra fees. Despite pending legislation, the town of Portsmouth's lawsuit and outcrys from many communities, the Department of Transportation plans to transfer ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge this summer. The new owners, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, plan to install bridge tolls on the span between Portsmouth and Tiverton. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I asked Portsmouth and Tiverton-Little Compton Patch readers if they were already changing their daily routes to avoid bridge tolls. Here's what a few, who plan to change their route, said: Allen Thibault Yes…
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
There was no lack of audience at the second in a pair of public hearings on the Sakonnet River Bridge toll by the state Department of Transportation in Tiverton on Tuesday night.
Hundreds of residents packed Tiverton High School auditorium, hoping to be heard at the second Sakonnet Bridge toll hearing on Tuesday night. Michael P. Lewis, director of the Department of Transportation (DOT) opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and told residents he would provide an abridged presentation explaining the agency's revenue problems. "It is not lost on me that this is not a popular proposal, but we are going to talk about the reasons why this is being considered," said Lewis. "The background on how transportation is funded in state, the history of the [state] Turnpike and Bridge Authority and what is this toll that is being proposed." "Most importantly this is a public hearing opportunity for us at RIDOT to hear from you on …
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Hundreds of residents turned out for the first of two bridge toll hearings on Monday night.
Michael P. Lewis, director of the Department of Transportation (DOT), opened the first of two bridge toll hearings on Monday evening. The second hearing will be held tomorrow night 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 2013…
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
The workshops will be held on Dec. 3 at Portsmouth High School and on Dec. 4 at Tiverton High School. Both workshops will be held from 7 to 10 p.m.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation has organized two workshops next 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, according to a press release. The second workshop is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 4, at Tiverton High School. Both meetings take place 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, September 28, 2012
Dozens met at Town Hall for the Tiverton STOP launch meeting on Thursday night
More than four dozen residents, legislators and town officials representing all sides of the political spectrum turned out for the Tiverton STOP launch meeting on Thursday night. Political affiliations aside, Tiverton residents can agree on one thing: stop tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge. "This is a nonpartisan effort," said Jay Lambert, Town Council president. "There are no partisan issues that I'm aware of. These are issues of fairness and economic reality, but those issues are not Democratic, they are not Republican they are not independent." Mediated by Lambert, the meeting was an organizational kickoff meeting for Tiverton residents to meet, sign up to volunteer and to establish leadership plans for each of the group's 10 …
Robert Oliveira
7:51 am on Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Jim L, you need 26 votes to stop a budget. There are 10 connected to the East Bay (Yes, I know that's a stretch). I'll give you Guthrie and the 6 Republicans. Can you name just 1 of the other 9 that you need? Yes, the Portsmouth Solicitor will milk this for everything he can. That's not going to produce a win. What was foretold on March 16th has come to pass. more ›