Tiverton Police Urge Motorists To Use Caution Following Rt. 24 Pile-Up

After a multiple car pile-up on Monday, Tiverton Police urge motorists to commute with caution near the construction zone on Route 24.

Although motorists sustained only minor injuries during a multiple-car crash on Monday morning, Tiverton Police are warning commuters to use caution in the construction zone by the Sakonnet River Bridge. Several cars were involved in the crash on the Tiverton side of Route 24 during the morning rush hour. Travel lanes are currently narrowed to accommodate bridge construction and the speed limi in the construction zone temporarily limited to 40 mph. "Traffic has been backing up there due to the reconfiguration," said Chief Thomas Blakey. "During construction, pay attention. You cannot be too aware." Construction is ongoing on Route 24 and will continue to involve numerous lane shifts. Exit 5 which directs traffic onto Main Road on Route 24 …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Multiple Vehicles Crash Near Sakonnet River Bridge Construction

No injuries were reported, but traffic delays occurred Monday morning after multiple reports of vehicle crashes on Route 24 South.

  Multiple motor vehicle crashes occurred Monday morning near construction on the new Sakonnet River Bridge, according to EastBayRI.  Patch received numerous reports of vehicle delays on Route 24 South near the Fish Road exit around 10 a.m.  Renee Cwiek Sartini: Traffic's backed up all the way down Fish Road. Something happened on the bridge. EastBayRI reports the accidents appear to be related to bridge construction. No injuries were reported.  About an hour later, Portsmouth emergency officials were also called to a major motor vehicle crash on West Main Road at Stringham in Portsmouth.  Further details about this crash are unknown at this time. Check back with Patch later today for updates on this developing story. 

• Photos (1)

TELL US: Will You Avoid a Sakonnet River Bridge With Tolls?

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…

•  51 Comments
• Photos (4)

Portsmouth To Sue DOT Director, Turnpike and Bridge Authority

The Portsmouth Town Council will file a lawsuit against several defendants, including the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.

The Portsmouth Town Council will file a lawsuit against several defendants including the state's Department of Transportation director and the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, in response to proposed bridge tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge.  The council voted unanimously Monday night to file a complaint in U.S. District Court in an effort to stop tolls, reports The Sakonnet Times. The complaint to be filed is attached in its entirety at right as a pdf. The complaint accuses the RITBA and Michael Lewis, director of the DOT, of violating the Federal-Aid Highway Act and the National Environmental Policy Act.  The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority voted to establish toll rates last Wednesday despite pending …

• Photos (2)
• Documents (1)

Letter to the Editor

'Infrastructure Maintenance State Responsibility' Says Toll Opponent

Resident Peter Hewett weighs in on the fight against tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge.

To the Editor: I continue to be strongly opposed to establishing tolls of any amount on the Sakonnet Bridge. Tolling is neither necessary nor reasonable. It is less than a courageous reach for a quick and easy supplemental revenue source by our governor and general assembly and a shirking of their responsibilities to ensure that the Department of Transportation is adequately funded to maintain our state's infrastructure. Nor is there, in my opinion, any compelling reason why the existing tolls on the Pell Bridge need to be increased. In fact, if our elected representatives had the courage to do their jobs honorably, without always seemingly focused myopically on re-election, those tolls could be reduced, which would benefit everyone …

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

Toll Discounts 'Unpalatable,' Says East Bay Legislator

Local legislators said they would continue efforts to repeal tolling on the Sakonnet River Bridge despite a 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 …

• Photos (1)

Did You Attend Saturday's Toll Workshop?

What were your thoughts on the bridge toll workshops held Saturday in Portsmouth?

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority hel two bridge toll workshops on Saturday at the Roger Williams University Conference Center.  Many local residents attended the hearing to voice their opinions on a plan to transfer ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge and add bridge tolls to the bridge, which spans Portsmouth and Tiverton.  Did you attend the toll workshop? What were your thoughts? Should there be more workshops?  Share your thoughts in the comment section below! 

• Photos (1)

Turnpike and Bridge Authority To Hold Toll Workshops This Saturday

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…

•  6 Comments
• Photos (1)