Portsmouth Rep. Jay Edwards has introduced a bill (2010-H 7449) that would prohibit tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge. The legislation would also keep the bridge under the jurisdiction of the RI DOT, short-circuiting a proposal in Gov. Carcieri's budget to move it to the RI Bridge and Turnpike Authority, which could institute tolls.

“Placing a toll on the Sakonnet Bridge is both short sighted and hurts the working people of Rhode Island who live or work in Newport County,” Edwards said in a statement. “This toll will push more traffic onto the Mt. Hope Bridge. In addition, a toll will dramatically impact Newport County residents by unfairly increasing costs for day to day travel within the area.”

“Why should the residents of Newport County bear the costs of road repair and bridge maintenance for the entire state?” said Edwards. “This proposal does not look for alternatives; instead, it looks to impose another tax on the residents of the East Bay.” Edwards proposes placing a toll on I-95 in Westerly and in Pawtucket as an alternative revenue source.

Co-sponsors of the bill include fellow East Bay and Aquidneck Island legislators Ray Gallison (D-69), John Loughlin (R-71), and Amy Rice (D-72). Similar legislation will be introduced in the Senate by Walter Felag Jr. (D-10).

Note: Written from General Assembly press release.