Sakonnet River Bridge

Edwards bill would extend study time for Sakonnet tolls

edwards.jpg
Rep. Jay Edwards.
Photo: RI General Assembly.

Rep. Jay Edwards (D-70) has introduced legislation that would ultimately accommodate a full vetting process for an equitable alternative to Sakonnet River Bridge tolls, according to a state house news release.

The legislation (2014-H 7569) extends the date that the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) may impose a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge – not to exceed 10 cents – from April 1, 2014 to July 1, 2014.

“This bill gives us the time we need for our colleagues in the General Assembly to review our transportation proposal and, if approved, place it in the state budget,” said Edwards, also the primary House sponsor of the transportation bill. “This needs to be a transparent, thorough process so that we do not have to revisit this issue again. Bridge tolls are still a hot-button issue for my district and the East Bay; although I certainly would not limit this conundrum to just East Bay residents. How we go about maintaining our bridges and roadways is a statewide issue, which we have said from the beginning. We have done our homework, and now it’s time to move forward and address this issue head-on.”

Submitted earlier this month, the transportation proposal (2014-H 7432, 2014-S 2335) creates a predictable statewide funding source for roads and bridges without needing a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge. Under this proposal, the state would establish a new Infrastructure Trust Fund using a number of existing revenue streams to maintain all state-controlled roads and bridges. It also adds funding to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA).

If approved, the legislation would also transfer the Sakonnet River Bridge and the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge from RITBA back to the state, while creating a new Rhode Island Bridge Authority as a department within the state Department of Transportation. The new bridge authority would only have the ability to toll the Claiborne Pell Bridge.

“We put the April 1 deadline in place so that we could study the toll issue,” said Sen. Lou DiPalma (D-12), who is the lead sponsor of the transportation bill in the Senate. “If nothing came of that study, that deadline wouldn’t matter right now. But because we were able to come up with a compromise that we believe alleviates a lot of the concerns related to the issue, it is now imperative that we take the next step and give everyone ample time to ask questions. This is not something we want to rush.”

Cosponsors of the House bill pushing back the toll deadline are House Majority Leader Nick Mattiello (D-15), Majority Whip Stephen Ucci (D-42), Deputy Majority Whip Chris Blazejewski (D-2) and Deputy Speaker Donald J. Lally Jr. (D-33). It has been referred to the House Finance Committee. Senator DiPalma plans to submit identical legislation in the Senate.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

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East Bay reps propose funding plan to kill Sakonnet toll

East Bay legislators today submitted legislation to create a predictable statewide funding source for roads and bridges without a toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge, according to a state house news release.

The legislation creates a new Infrastructure Trust Fund using a number of existing revenue streams to create a predictable pool of funding for the maintenance of all state-controlled roads and bridges as well as adding funding to the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority.

“Rhode Island’s transportation infrastructure is the responsibility of all Rhode Islanders. Our transportation infrastructure needs to be a priority of the entire state and needs the entire state’s support. We can do this. We must have the resolve to seize this opportunity and address the challenge once and for all. The time to act is now,” said Senator Lou DiPalma (D-12), the lead sponsor in the Senate.

House sponsor Rep. Jay Edwards (D-70), who represents parts of both Portsmouth and Tiverton, said, “This is a way to consider all the elements of transportation as they relate to one another, rather than piecemeal. Bridges exist throughout the state, not just in the East Bay and all of them need to be maintained safely. Having safe, functional transportation routes all over the state benefits everyone. And how can we make public transportation a viable alternative if we don’t treat it as a genuine part of our transportation infrastructure? Our goal is to bring all parts of our state transportation system together and use our resources wisely to support them all.”

Said Sen. Chris Ottiano (R-11), “This legislation not only deals with the immediate problem of the Sakonnet River Bridge tolls but also, looks 10 years ahead and offers a solution to our infrastructure funding on a statewide basis. Our infrastructure is vital to the entire economy of this state. It is equally vital that it be repaired and maintained. This plan uses mostly existing funding sources without new taxes and only one new fee that will sunset in five years. It is truly a statewide solution.”

The Infrastructure Trust Fund established by the legislation would be funded through several sources. First, the legislation would decrease the total of anticipated state revenue that can be budgeted from 97 to 95.5 percent, and dedicates the difference to the fund. (The rest would continue to go to the state’s rainy day fund or the capital fund, as is the case under current law.) All new funds from the uninsured motorist fund are also to be dedicated to the fund, as is any gas tax revenue that becomes available as the state assumes the Department of Transportation debts.

Beginning in 2020, all gas tax revenue would go directly to the trust fund. Currently the gas tax money has been going to pay off the bonded debt that the state incurred to meet the federal match for transportation projects.

For the first five years of the new funding system the fund will be augmented by a temporary 5-percent surcharge in Division of Motor Vehicle fees. This increase is eliminated in 2020.

The legislation also transfers the Sakonnet River Bridge and the Jamestown-Verrazzano Bridge from the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority back to the state, and establishes a new Rhode Island Bridge Authority as a department within the Department of Transportation, with the ability to toll only the Claiborne Pell Bridge.

The legislation was introduced in the House and the Senate today. Cosponsors in the House include the whole Portsmouth delegation (Rep. Ray Gallison(D-69), Rep. Dennis Canario (D-71), Rep. Linda Finn (D-72)), Rep. Jeremiah O’Grady (D-Dist. 46, Lincoln, Pawtucket), Rep. Marvin L. Abney (D-Dist. 73, Newport, Middletown) and Rep. Kenneth A. Marshall (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren). Cosponsors in the Senate with Sen. Ottiano include Sen. Walter S. Felag Jr. (D-Dist. 10, Warren, Bristol, Tiverton), Sen. Joshua Miller (D-Dist. 28, Cranston, Providence) and Sen. Daniel Da Ponte (D-Dist. 14, East Providence).

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

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02871, Localblogging, Sakonnet River Bridge

Hundreds protest Sakonnet toll

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Protest organizer John Vitkevich in front of the toll gantry at the Sakonnet River Bridge. Photo: Jack McDaid.

"This bridge should not have a toll on it, it's that simple,"

John Vitkevich stood near the toll gantry on the bike path leading to the Sakonnet River Bridge, as more than 250 local residents assembled for the 5pm protest, some waving flags, many carrying signs, and all receiving encouraging honks from the passing traffic on Route 24.

"We knew this in 2002," Vitkevich told RI Future. Because of significant public opposition at that time, he said, tolling had been eliminated from consideration by RIDOT and the Federal Highway Administration. "Wouldn't you think that the opposition from 2012 and 2013 was louder, stronger, and more organized than we were ten years ago?"

Apparently so, if last night's event was any guide. Vitkevich, with his friend Alan Silvia, rallied the crowd through a portable generator and speakers, and the protesters responded with cheers and applause for nearly an hour as speaker after speaker hammered on themes of double-dealing at the general assembly and anger that the East Bay was being unfairly targeted.

"This bridge was free from a toll for 55 years," Vitkevich told the crowd. "Because it was not maintained, they want us to pay for the new bridge."

And on this, the toll opponents have a point. The original Sakonnet River Bridge opened on Sept 12, 1956 (at a cost of just $9M). But early in the new century, deterioration began overtake maintenance and by 2007, weight limits were put in place and progressively lowered, while a series of emergency fixes kept the span operational. The new $160M structure opened to traffic late last year, and while construction was managed by RIDOT, operation and maintenance was turned over to the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority, and that's where the tolls come in.

"Five million, 176 thousand dollars is what the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority wants to charge to maintain a brand new bridge," he said. "Why does Mr. Darlington and Mr. Croft and the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority need to charge five million dollars? Because they can."

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Protesters listen to anti-toll speakers.

Not if those assembled had any say about it. In addition to the approaches described on the DontToll.com web site (refuse to use your EZ-Pass, make RITBA send you a bill, and pay with a check) Viktevich also suggested the power of many people phone bombing RITBA. "Contact them on Tuesday, contact them on Wednesday, get their number and put it in your speed dial. Harass them. They need to be harassed. Keep harassing them."

Vitkevich advocated "financial disobedience in a civil way," but he took care to distance himself from the arsonists who had targeted the toll infrastructure the previous night. "Anything I can do to cost the RITBA legally and ethically, I will do. But I'm not running around with gasoline and matches."

Only one of the East Bay's representatives was spotted in the crowd, Ray Gallison (D-69 Bristol, Portsmouth). "I agree with everyone that there should not be tolls here" Gallison told RI Future. "The I-Way bridge is maintained by taxpayers, Henderson bridge is being maintained by taxpayers, all of the other bridges all over the state."

About a dozen attendees took turns at the mic to at attack RITBA, the Governor, and the 11th hour reversal of the toll decision at the general assembly. On June 26, the budget, including a toll deferral and the first-years's bond payments for 38 Studios, squeaked through the House, supported by votes of East Bay legislators. Then, on July 2nd, just before recess, a rider was introduced that reversed course and instituted the ten-cent toll as a placeholder pending the recommendation of a study commission. Opinion in the crowd was that local legislators had been duped. "Once the 38 Studios vote came in I said, whoops, that's it, slippery slope, we're done," Portsmouth resident Kathy Melvin told RI Future. "I'm amazed that the legislators didn't know they were cooked."

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Tiverton’s Denise Lach and Rosemary DeMello carry anti-toll signs on the Sakonnet River bridge. Photo: Jack McDaid.

Listening in the crowd, carrying hand-made signs, Tiverton residents Rosemary DeMello and Denise Lach had walked over the bridge to join to protest. "This is not right," said DeMello. "This has never been a toll bridge, and now they're going to put a toll on it to pay for the other bridges in Rhode Island."

"Local people should certainly be exempt from the tolls," said Lach. "I travel to the Island a lot. We're always over there."

As protestors began to drift off and the organizers were wrapping cables and packing up speakers, Vitkevich evaluated the impact of the event. "What happened here today," said Vitkevich, "was the start of taking this down."

Editorial note: Crossposted at RI Future.

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02871, Localblogging, Sakonnet River Bridge

Arsonists target Sakonnet toll system

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Sakonnet River Bridge bike path; orange barrel at left marks location of fire.

At about 1am Saturday, equipment connected with the Sakonnet River Bridge was "intentionally damaged by fire," according to an official statement sent to media by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. In the release, RITBA Chair David Darlington said that the fire was quickly extinguished, and that there was no damage to the bridge structure itself.

Interviewed at the scene this afternoon, Darlington offered no estimate of damage and no comment beyond saying that "the State Police were investigating."

In the RITBA release, Darlington said that backup systems were in place, and expected minimal interruption. "Thanks to diligent work by repair crews, the main systems have either been restored or will be within the next several hours," said Darlington. "We expect tolling on the bridge will continue as planned on Monday."

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Location of last night's fire.

On scene, Darlington did point out to a reporter the location of the fire, inside a utility tunnel located across the bike path from the small building housing the toll equipment. There did not appear to be any damage to the building itself visible from the bike path.

In the release, Darlington said, "The destruction of state property is a crime we take very seriously; the matter has been turned over to the Rhode Island State Police and will be investigated and prosecuted. We support the right of civil protest. We have no tolerance for vandalism and arson, which puts lives in peril. This act of attempted sabotage is not a victimless form of protest. It poses a potential danger to motorists and first responders, and the financial costs of the crime are borne by toll payers."

Officers from the RI State Police were on scene, and were searching the area around the bike path. At one point, they retrieved something from the brush to the left of the path, but when a reporter approached to try to get a picture, they were told to "move from the scene."

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State police collect evidence at scene of last night's fire.


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GA channels Milgram in modified press release on bridge tolls

At 3:21 yesterday afternoon, the RI general assembly press office put out a release naming the legislative members of the new commission charged with studying tolls (covered here). An hour later, they issued a "clarification" worthy of one of Stanley Milgram's subjects. Viz:

Last year, the General Assembly approved legislation to implement a toll on the new Sakonnet River Bridge, which connects Tiverton and Portsmouth. Since then, a majority of the East Bay delegation and members of their communities have been vying for an equitable alternative to the tolls in order to maintain the area’s infrastructure and protect Aquidneck Island businesses.

In the later revision, this became

Last year, the General Assembly approved a provision in the budget transferring the ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge, which connects Tiverton and Portsmouth, to RITBA so that a toll could be placed on the bridge. Since then, a majority of the East Bay delegation and members of their communities have been vying for an equitable alternative to the tolls in order to maintain the area’s infrastructure and protect Aquidneck Island businesses.

See what they did there? We didn't press the button giving someone a painful electric shock; it was those guys in the white lab coats who said we needed to do it. This is referred to as the "agentic shift," and to this reporter's mind, it is uglier than the raw fact of the toll itself.

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East Bay gets 3 reps on Bridge Commission

General assembly leaders announced their picks for the new Rhode Island bridge funding commission, and the East Bay scored some important representation. According to a state house press release, the 6 legislators were picked by House Speaker Gordon Fox and Senate President Teresa Paiva Weed.

The "Special Legislative Commission to Study the Funding for Bridges" will include Senate Finance Chairman Daniel Da Ponte (D-14, East Providence) and Senators Lou DiPalma (D-12) and Chris Ottiano (R-11). House members will include House Finance Chairman Helio Melo (D-64, East Providence), and Reps Jay Edwards (D-70) and Antonio Giarrusso (R-30, East Greenwich, West Greenwich).

The three remaining members of the special legislative commission will be the Department of Transportation Director Michael Lewis, or a designee; Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) Executive Director Buddy Croft, or a designee; and Department of Administration Director Richard Licht, or a designee.

Legislation approved in the closing days of the session called for the creation of the special legislative commission, which will allow lawmakers and officials from the affected state departments and agencies to come together for six months and map out various funding plans, potentially eradicating the need for a Sakonnet Bridge toll. The special legislative panel will not only study ways to fund East Bay bridges, but also seek a funding mechanism for all state bridges. The commission is required to report its findings to the General Assembly on or before Jan. 15, 2014.

According to the press release -- and I'll put this part in explicit quotes: "RITBA will have the authority to implement a 10-cent toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge in August so it can preserve future tolling options for the bridge while the commission works to find alternatives. The 10-cent toll cap will be in effect until April 1, 2014."

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

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Celebrating the new Sakonnet Bridge under the glare of toll opponents

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Gov. Lincoln Chafee speaks at opening of new Sakonnet River Bridge.



There were two groups gathered out in the middle of the old Sakonnet River Bridge this afternoon to mark the opening of its replacement: Rhode Island political figures and RI Dept. of Transportation (RIDOT) leadership were on hand to celebrate the completion of the new bridge, and about 40 citizens, carrying "No Tolls" signs were there to express their continued opposition.

Calling it a "Vital entry to the East Bay," RIDOT Director Michael Lewis said the new bridge, completed in just three years, was "built to withstand the test of time with a number of innovative technologies, and designed for longevity." He noted that this was "the largest single construction contract in RIDOT history," and had been executed with an "unprecedented" change order rate under 1%. The project, Lewis said, was an indicator of "the RIDOT of today."

Governor Lincoln Chafee thanked the contractor, Cardi, for bringing the bridge in "on time, on budget, and with a good safety record." He also took a moment to praise RIDOT's new financing model for project work, which has phased out borrowing. "In November, for the first time in memory, we won't be voting on a bond issue," he said.

Senator Jack Reed also praised Cardi as "a strong Rhode Island company for generations," and said that he had been proud to be part of the effort by Rhode Island's congressional delegation to secure over $20 million in Federal funding for the project. In addition to the long-term benefits of efficiency and productivity in transportation, Reed also noted the immediate impact on the local economy. "We have provided 350 jobs at a time when employment is a critical issue for this state."

The event was held under a small tent mid-span on the decrepit old bridge, with two dozen folding chairs ringed by press and protestors. Lewis urged caution for those standing back near the railing, "There's a reason we're taking this bridge down."

On hand for the twenty-minute ceremony were a representative from Sen. Whitehouse's office, state Reps. Jay Edwards (D-70), Ray Gallison (D-69), and Dan Reilly (R-72), as well as unopposed district 71 candidate Dennis Canario.

Every official went out of their way to acknowledge the visible presence of those opposed to tolls on the new span. Sen. Jack Reed praised the "concerned citizens of Portsmouth and Tiverton" and stressed the importance of "citizens who will engage." Gov. Chafee said that he looking forward to continuing to get input from residents on approaches to paying for maintenance, and promised "formal hearings." Director Lewis welcomed the protestors — specifically naming Portsmouth Concerned Citizens President and STOP organizer Larry Fitzmorris — and said, "One of the great things about this country is that we can have an open dialogue."

Jeanne Smith, one of the lead anti-toll organizers, said that she was pleased by the "good turnout" and was looking forward to bringing everyone together to continue the fight. "This is a state-wide issue," she said.

Rep. Ray Gallison told harddeadlines that one strategy he's considering is a general assembly resolution expressing opposition to the tolls. "The installation of tolls still has to be approved by the Federal Highway Administration," Gallison said, adding that a resolution from the legislature could help convince the FHA that "DOT is not really speaking at a state-wide level."

But despite the protest signs, it was still a day to celebrate a truly beautiful addition to the East Bay.

RIDOT Chief Engineer Kazem Farhoumand told harddeadlines that it felt great to see the project — which he said he'd originally begun working on in 1994 as a repair effort — finally completed. He described some of the features of the new span designed to enhance its lifespan, including the use of stainless steel and galvanized rebar and high-performance concrete. One thing that you might not notice, he said, was that they had coated the bridge railings with molten zinc before painting. "That adds 25 years to the life," he said.

And for those worried about when the old bridge will be removed, Farhoumand offered a note of reassurance: RIDOT is already working on plans for 2014. "This is not going to be a a Jamestown," said Fahroumand. "We're already at 30% design for taking this bridge down."

Director Lewis expressed to harddeadlines his sense that with this project, RIDOT had demonstrated their new focus. He acknowledged that some had criticized the department in the past for a perception of not getting things done in a timely fashion, but he pointed to the new Sakonnet, the Route 95 Pawtucket River Bridge and the Frenchtown Brook Bridge in East Greenwich which was completed in 32 days as evidence of RIDOT's progress.

"These are successes," said Lewis. "This is the model that we want to be held against."

More pictures up on Flickr. (Also, flash back to the groundbreaking story and pictures.)

Full disclosure: Have to admit that I've been one of those folks who have been critical of RIDOT over the past few years, mostly out of frustration over flooding on Park Avenue and the decay of the Escape Bridge. And, yeah, I have been pretty harsh in my criticism. But when I talked with Director Lewis today, he was very open. He said that it was important for the press to do their job to surface issues, and he was very gracious. Add that to a beautiful new Sakonnet Bridge, and I feel much better about RIDOT. Job well done, folks.

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Northbound Sakonnet River Bridge to open tomorrow

The northbound lanes of the new Sakonnet River Bridge are scheduled to open tomorrow, according to a press release sent this morning by the RI Dept. of Transportation (RIDOT).

"With tomorrow's milestone opening of the new Sakonnet River Bridge to northbound traffic, we will reduce the lengthy detour that the motoring public has used over the past four years," said RIDOT Director Michael Lewis in the press release. "We thank the two host communities of Tiverton and Portsmouth for their continued patience and support during this project."

RIDOT expects the southbound lanes to open in "approximately one week." Here's some more detail from the release:

The new bridge is 2,265 feet long and approximately 96 feet wide. There are two 12-foot lanes in each direction with wide shoulders. Mariners will find a wider passage under the bridge's center span and the new bridge maintains the minimum vertical clearance over the river of 65 feet.
Once all traffic has been shifted to the new bridge, work will continue on approach roads on both sides of the span. Demolition of segments of the old bridge must take place before this work is finalized. RIDOT expects construction activities on the segments of Route 24 approaching the bridge to be ongoing through Spring 2013.

All construction on the new bridge is expected to wrap up in 2013, including the opening of a bike path along the northern edge of the new bridge and the connecting paths to local streets on both sides of the bridge. Work on the bike path approach segments is expected to begin in Spring 2013.

Also in 2013, RIDOT expects to advertise for a construction project for the demolition of the old Sakonnet River Bridge.

Editorial note: Written from a press release.

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Pile driving is over for Sakonnet bridge

The sound of pile drivers at the Sakonnet River Bridge construction site — painfully familiar to anyone in the Hummocks and audible even from Island Park — is now a thing of the past, says the RI Dept. of Transportation (RIDOT).

In a press release, RIDOT announced that the last round of pile driving finished on Tuesday and positive test results Thursday meant the end of this phase of the project, which involved sinking nearly 500 piles, some to depths of greater than 200 feet below the riverbed.

“We appreciate the patience of the residents and business owners near the bridge and apologize for the noise and disruption the pile driving operations caused,” RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis said in a statement. “We are excited to reach this milestone thanks to the efforts of our contractor, Cardi Corporation, as we continue replacing this valuable transportation link to Aquidneck Island.”

The Department anticipates the new bridge to be open to traffic in Spring 2012, however, the contract with Cardi Corporation includes an early incentive clause which could result in the bridge opening to traffic earlier.

Editorial note: Yep, this one's from a press release.

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Edwards moves to ban Sakonnet Bridge tolls

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.

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