Gov. Raimondo reveals preliminary locations for truck tolls

January 5, 2016 6:07 pm

As the 2016 legislative session got underway on Tuesday, Governor Gina Raimondo released the proposed tolling locations.

There are 14 proposed gantry sites across the state. Providence is the only city with multiple locations.

"I always anticipated that we would be moving forward with a bill and I’ve indicated I would not do so until the public was made aware of where the gantries are. You’ve got to remember these are tolling gantries on trucks, heavy duty commercial trucks, and not the average Rhode Islander,” said House Speaker Nick Mattiello.

The announcement is already being met with harsh criticism by house Republicans.

"This is way too many gantries for a small state that is 38 miles long. This is absurd,” said State Rep. Doreen Costa.

"Everyone is concerned that it is going to migrate to cars eventually, and frankly, I’m a lifelong Rhode Islander and I’m not 100% sure that the people who think that are not right,” said State Rep. Michael Chippendale. "I will absolutely be a vocal opponent."

The Senate President tells ABC 6 News that a recent increase in federal funding for infrastructure improvements will likely change the proposal voted on last year.

"I look forward to a discussion and a debate and proposal forthcoming from the house, the senate, and the Governor working together which addresses which ways we can modify the proposal to address the impact of the additional federal funds,” said Senate President Theresa Paiva Weed.

The President of the Rhode Island Trucking Association, Chris Maxwell, released the following statement:

"At this point we are only getting information related to toll locations based on media accounts. It should not have taken six months for this information to be released and it begs many more questions including the toll amounts at each gantry and whether or not these initial locations are situated on the most structurally deficient bridges. Additionally, we have always questioned the capabilities of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation to repair 453 bridges in a five-year period. Have any of these locations even received approvals to begin construction including environmental impact analysis? We will continue to raise these salient questions this legislative session."