RI official: Sakonnet toll delay might kill plan

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Delaying implementation of tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge could kill the plan permanently, causing a loss of expected revenue officials call critical for bridge maintenance, according to Rhode Island's transportation chief.

The General Assembly pushed back the introduction of tolls on the newly built span — which were to go into effect in July — until at least February while a special commission studies alternative ways to fund bridge upkeep.

But Transportation Department Director Michael Lewis says it may be now or never. For federally funded bridge projects, tolls may be introduced only if they begin before the span is deemed "substantially complete." That could happen before February, he said.

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority approved tolls ranging from 75 cents for those with in-state E-ZPass transponders to $5.25 for those without transponders.

"There is a critical need for identifying a solution not only to funding the maintenance of our major bridges but also to the larger problem of financing transportation infrastructure across our state," Lewis said in a statement. "The health of this infrastructure is central to the health of our economy and the quality of life of Rhode Islanders."

The plan to collect tolls on the Route 24 bridge between Portsmouth and Tiverton has faced strenuous opposition from the start, with residents and businesses saying it would pose a financial burden and hurt tourism. Portsmouth and other towns sued to stop installation of the tolls, but a judge allowed it to go forward.

Officials say RITBA has lost $4 million in revenue by delaying a toll increase initially planned for February 2012 on the Newport bridge and will lose millions more if the increase isn't allowed until next year. Toll installation cost about $3.5 million.

RITBA Chairman David Darlington called the Sakonnet toll delay an "enormous wrinkle," adding that the agency is still sorting out the potential impact. He said RITBA may have to transfer the Sakonnet and Jamestown bridges back to the transportation department because it can't take control of them without a dedicated funding source. The General Assembly authorized the transfer — and the placement of a toll on the Sakonnet — last year.

Darlington also said that losing the authority to set the Newport bridge toll rate is a violation of one of its bond covenants.

During the legislative debate on the tolls last week, House Majority Leader Nicholas Mattiello, D-Cranston, said that while he wants to find a steady revenue stream to support bridge maintenance, delaying them "is the right thing to do."

"A lot of legitimate concerns were brought forth and I think we need to consider those concerns," he said. "We have to respect the concerns and study them while delaying the implementation of the tolls."

The RITBA board is scheduled to meet Wednesday to make changes prompted by the General Assembly's approval of the delay.

State Rep. John Edwards, D-Tiverton, was among those leading the opposition to the tolls.

"This is a commuter bridge and it is used by working class people," he said. "We've been fighting tooth and nail to put this off."

Rep. Joseph Trillo, R-Warwick, wondered what would become of the toll infrastructure.

"We spent $3 million putting up the toll structure so far," he said. "What are we going to do with it? Throw it in the water?"

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Associated Press writer David Klepper contributed to this report.