I Would Like To Retract My Signature From The Anti Toll Petition. I Have Changed My Mind About The Toll. I Think We Need To Put A Toll On That Bridge To Help Pay For Repairs That Are Going To Be Necessary. I Drive Over That Bridge 5 Days A Week Because I Choose To Work Off The Island. It's Time That Those Of Us On This End Of The Island Start Paying For Our Bridge.

I Was Against The Toll On That Bridge Until I Saw The Picture Of All The Blue Hairs At The Meeting At The High School. If That Many Seniors Are Against The Toll, Then I Am FOR The Toll. The Seniors Are A Dangerous Bunch, And They Need To Be Stopped.

I think tolls will be awesome, really, crime rates will drop because those who drive in from Mass will not want to pay to commit crimes on the island. All you blue hairs who keep voting with your heart and not your head can pay up, you get what you ask for.

8:16 — "There could be a domino effect on Raytheon, NUWC and the Navy base," says Ray Berberick, a founding member of a Portsmouth business group fighting the tolls.

That's Just Silly.

Chris your lack of depth in thinking is troubling. Do you know that the state of RI garners 35% of its total tax revenue from Newport County. Restaurant ( meals and booze taxes) hotel ( room taxes ) income taxes, real estate transfer taxes ( highest values in the state create more transfer tax). This is a case of the state trying to take more revenue from us under the disguise of bridge maintanence. Why dont we suggest that they increase bus fares and lower the fuel tax subsidy to RIPTA. That would close the hole that thy say is solved by tolls. There are a million ways not to have tolls and the state take revenue from other sources.

lack of depth? please.....this is the state with the worst tax rate, worst business climate, highest property tax and a governor that goes on national TV and makes a total fool of himself and the state that elected him, Democrats and unions control the state so tolls on the Sakonnet bridge? sounds logical to me, pay up fools

Forward we go tolls it is

Raise revenue by dealing with overpaid and or unnecessary state patronage jobs...

As a condition for any new tolls anywhere or toll increases, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority should be independently audited in a totally transparent manner by a group of esteemed accounting firms and citizen representatives.

The bridge must be financed. The question is, should it be financed through tolls, or through taxes? Taxes would spread the burden more broadly, and not cripple businesses and residents on on either side of the bridge. I vote for taxes.

Excuse my ignorance, but why is it a federal law prohibiting interstate tolls in RI, but MA,Ct,NY,NH,NJ,DE,MD, and most states towards FL toll their interstates?!? Why not ask for a 50% share of gas tax or other funding measures?
Unfortunately tolls will probably be installed and I'm sure and we will pay increased tolls through the years because RIBTA will always find shortfalls in their budget that will need our hard earned monies!
I also would like to comment on Chris about the "blue hairs". Remember 1 day you may become a senior on fixed living and you may decide that extra fees for everyday living will be something that you protest. Not all of those 27000 signatures were blue haired citizens demanding fairness.

All of you who insist on voting the same politicians into office over and over again get what you deserve.

a penny increase in the gas tax and a small toll (25¢ or less) toll would take care of the 10 year maintenance plan....

My two cents - the biggest issue I see here is the amount of toll. I see $4 tolls as pretty steep. I lived for a long time in a State that had me driving the toll road to work which cost me about $1.60 daily (2, $.40 tolls each way) which never prevented me from working or going shopping/dining (even on the weekends) along that toll road. Without these tolls we jeopardize these vital infastructures and will have to pay other ways which could be more of an impact. Maybe a better compromise is limiting the amount of toll for those visitors to and inhabitants of beautiful Aquidneck Island using this bridge?

I wish the discussion, here, were more intelligent, less finger pointing and more constructive to solving a serious problem - the state's budget deficit. One of the most important concerns mentioned last night was that of the history of this state directing taxes and fees for a particular purpose and, then, those funds are used for something else - the issue of state accountability is important. For those who use the Sakonnet Bridge daily, the tolls may be directed to some other state use that forsakes the maintenance of the bridge. As you recall from last night, the director said the tolls will not be used only for the maintenance of this particular bridge.

Just buy a boat....then you won't have to bother with the stinkin' bridge

Umm... hello who else is going to pay for repairs for the bridge you all use every day??? Let me guess Obamabridge is next?? Comon seniors... it's a different america now... no more five and dime and certainly no more free roads... Vote yes before the bridge falls down and then lawsuits start on whos fault it was to repair ....

Our elected leaders have given us plenty reasons over the years for lobbing grenades . However, we can no longer be members of the CAVE Society (Citizens Against Virtually Everything). There is a projected 6 million budget shortfall per year for each of the next 10 years. How do we close that gap? Create multiple toll rate tiers, Newport/Bristol County Resident rate, Newport/Bristol County Employee rate, RI Resident rate, New England Resident rate, Rest of the World Rate. Why are there only 2 RI EZ-Pass rate structures? I've had a New Hampshire EZ-Pass transponder for years and receive a 30% discount without a New Hampshire residency requirement. Why hasn't RIBTA negotiated a reciprocal rate with the other New England EZ-Pass states (Mass, Maine and New Hampshire). Set it up just as New York City has and place an appropriate toll on all 4 of the bridges that the public will accept. How about $1.00 each way as a starting point to study. Would that generate 6 million per year? You might recoup the project 21% loss in traffic volume and prevent a migration of traffic to the 83 year old Mt. Hope Bridge.

Well you all did suprise me. I expected only about 36 people to show max! I have no clue as to the total population of Bristol and Newport County, but folks 100's of people showing up is still not impressive at all. Barry needs to dig deep and find a sense of humor about aging, and I can say that as I am there and done that! This is not just a Portsmouth/Tiverton interest item. Some of you do realize that you cannot travel anywhere in that area without crossing a bridge I hope. When a bridge fails due to lack of maintenance (which does not come free) how will you get to the other side to get your Fried Whole Clams. Wake up people.

I live in Bristol and work on Cape Cod, paying $400 a month in gas as it is. As a new resident of RI and the Northeast, I have noticed that Mass has much cheaper gas than RI. I fill up in Mass instead of RI because of this and I'm sure that's why gas tax revenues are down - others do the same. You can't raise more money by adding more fees, taxes, and tolls. RI has one of the highest unemployment rates and also has the highest taxes. Think that's related? Politicians here seem to be clueless. The people who will be hurt by the toll are residents of Bristol, Tiverton, and Aquidneck who have to cross the bridge every day for work and have no other viable options. People who do not need to use it will choose not to and the businesses on Aquidneck will also be hurt.

Where are the TCC robo calls reminding Tiverton residents about tonight's meeting?

RI doesn't have a revenue problem , it has a spending problem. The RI budget is over eight billion dollars . The budget needs to be scrutinized and priorities need to be set. Tolls are not needed here or anywhere else in the State. Don't ask why other parts of the State are not tolled. Ask why millions are wasted while our roads and bridges deteriorate. Come together and protest spending that allowed this bridge to fall apart. United we stand!

I can't wait for these tolls to start. All the crying and whining from Portsmouth and Tiverton. Here's a suggestion, why don't we all share the expense. If you use the bridge PAY UP.... I pay my way, start paying yours...

Anyone who is in favor of the tolls I want to know if you know anyone who would like to buy my house becasue I want out of here. What if all of us refused to pay taxes? Would they put us all in jail? Who would they take over all our homes to resale? To who? The banks want to get into real Estate, bercause many will foreclose. Thinking of the politics of R.I. makes me want to throw up. I propose we have a ferry boat and screw the tolls. I am for a ferry boat vs tolls. Anyone else. Let the goverment who got themeselves in the mess with out controlled spending use the bridge. People of this area, let us put in for a ferry boat. I am all for it. A few years from now they will be crying they need more money becasue the state and all goverment is a unsatiable pig and will never have enough. The tables turned when they forgot weho pays them and who they are suppoosed to be working for, so if you have some thing to say, speak up, we need every voice.

The same person with different names keeps posting these ridiculous comments. Why does patch allow this insult batter to continue to post these comments ?

I live in Portsmouth and think that tolls to pay for the bridge is fair. I'd rather it was free, but it isn't. It has to be paid for. But how about getting creative and adding additional tolls around the state? If the state set one up on Route 4 (a state highway, not a Federal one), think of all the money they could raise from people heading down to Scarborough or Galilee in the summer. Or on Route 146 with people from the northwest corner of the state coming into Providence for work or play. All the complaining about a proposed toll not even covering expenses? Think more broadly, RITBA!

I say how about a ferry boat? Jamestown had one. Cheaper, no tolls, and we can get the ferry at the pier looking at the toll booths. Anyone in favor of a ferry boat? To all candidates who did not get relected you deserve what you got. You were suppoosed to be representing the peole here, not the big boys on State hill. Anyone for a ferry boat? Goodbye all voted out lazy represenastives in Portsmouth. You can go back to sleep now. You were not the voice of the people till it was to late.

"You made your bed, now lie in it."

Origin: "Back in the old days beds were made on a yearly basis and you had only one chance to do it correctly. If you took shortcuts and stuffed your mattress with low quality stuffing like grass you would sleep quite comfortably for a week or so but the grasses would soon break down and you would be lying on a very poor bed. If on the other hand you went to the effort and expense of stuffing your mattress with kapok or down or feathers you would have a very long lasting and comfortable bed to lie in."

You all stuffed the capitol with the low quality stuffing that is the Democratic party, and now you have to, quite literally, pay the consequences and live with the discomfort that your votes resulted in. Don't get me wrong...I'm against the concept of the Tolls but I'm all for them for the simple reason that every time each one of you opens your wallets to pay up, you'll remember that you voted the people in that made it all happen.

Donkeys

Citizens make their voices heard at the voting booth. If you are dissatisfied with your government, then vote them out. Makes perfect sense, BUT in RI, we complain about our disfunctional government and vote them all back in. How many of you at the meeting voted to return your reps and senators back into office?

To all who commented both pro and con: Without trying to get into a lengthy discussion, the PBA believes that there is more than enough money in the state budget to accomplish adequate bridge maintenance for the four bridges. We have suggested at least ten separate ideas directly to the Governor for his consideration. Some of these ideas suggested a good hard look at expenditures and look where there is potential for fraud, waste and abuse or systemic problems that could be fixed to free up funds to dedicate to bridge maintenance. Other ideas were related to redirecting funds that go into the General Fund. Also, last night was a good first look at the direct economic impact. We believe officials should have done that homework before the introduction of Article 20 creating the East Bay Infrastructure. By the way, as we understand it, the bond indenture language for the bonds issued by RITBA will cause the Pell tolls to go up in the future regardless if there is a toll on the Sakonnet. Nonetheless, our position is that with some bold, innovative leadership, the elected officials can find the funds in house to dedicate to the four bridges without a new toll. Find more funds to spur economic development. Use this concept as a way to turn the corner regarding state spending and economic development. Put the Lieutenant Governor directly in charge of both of these efforts. Why not give this approach a try?

Portsmouth has high house taxes! They have no garbage and recycle services. Portsmouth has no septic. We do however have a field house the size of a whole school and a windmill that someone supposedly put bad oil in that is costing millions to fix. Umm what? Crying whining? It's called justice. The small business deserve better treatment, the working person deserves no more pay cuts and for many this will equal a pay cut. Where are the taxes going? Why both modern exits off island. The Mount Hope bridge is too old and the people of Bristol and Warren can no longer enjoy a small town environment because those who can't pay a toll will be forced to go that way. We should not have to pay a toll, especially not an expensive one... NO TOLLS!

From memory - Here are additional comments I heard at the meeting:
- The toll placement expert felt RI could not put toll booths on other eligible locations (Providence, Rt 146, RT 24 in Tiverton) because drivers could avoid the tolls by getting off the highway and taking side streets.
- I believe Philip Driscoll stated the state had not done their homework because they had not performed an economic inpact study.
- The steel infrastructures on the Pell and Mt Hope bridges require frequent painting (expensive). The Jamestown bridge was build without the steel and (from observation) little maintence has been required. The Sakonnet bridge was also built without the steel infrastructure and it is likely maintenance will also be minimized.
- People ran the numbers and concluded the toll revenue would be much greater than the funds stated as required for maintenance of the 4 bridges. What do they plan to do with the extra money?
- With a report due to the Federal Government in January it is likely that the report has been already written and these meetings are perfunctory.

There were a number of valid issues raised last night. I am concerned the public comments will not be adequately passed by RI to the Federal Reviewers.

Great job Portsmouth.

I would also recommend that every person email David Cicilline, Sheldon Whitehouse, and Jack Reed. They aren't going to have an impact on the decision making in the state General Assembly. But they can lobby the Federal Highway Administration on our behalf to block this toll. If we had been smart enough to elect Brendan Doherty, he would have done that for us. Now we need to demand that Cicilline, Whitehouse, and Reed petition the FHA on our behalf!

DOT Lewis is just another dirty scumbag crook that will use the tolls to pay his bills. Its a done deal and they are just going through the motions. CROOKS CROOKS CROOKS

In a taped discussion of the Sakonnet Bridge toll question Rep. Reilly, a member of the state finance committee had suggested dedicating car registration fees to bridge maintenance. Makes sense to me if the figures check out. Officials have leaped to the "easy" answer in demanding tolls.

Kyle Hense's suggestion of a thorough audit must be a requirement before any funding is levied.

Here is a question, will the tolls for residents be the same as with the Newport bridge? If so $1.66 is a lot different than $8, and people posting on here are being overly dramatic.

You people love Democrats. Heck they have a bigger majority than before the election. You know the deal with Democrats- more fees, taxes, this, that; so pay up and quit whining!

For a compromise on the toll issue: how about only collect tolls in the summer? Or for residents of the area (Aquidneck, Bristol, Tiverton, Little Compton), no toll or a low monthly rate ($5 a month) no matter how many times you cross the bridge - daily, weekly, or monthly. With 83 cents each way, every day, that's adding $400 a year to the cost of daily travel to and from work. I'd much rather pay $5-10 a month than deal with that. EZ cards can be used for the same purpose and a monthly charge can be applied. Any ideas about this as a compromise?

Id like to drop my 2cents to this, as a former truck driver, each trucking co, pays federal tax that is sopose to provide tax $ from the fule tax, each state is suppose to share this. Where is the share RI gets, Look at the truck tfc that passes thrugh RI everyday, WHERE IS THE MONEY GOVERNORX!!!!!!!! That money should be put to repair the highways and bridges as it was designed too. DAM Politians

Have you seen this, posted on the Tiverton Patch by Phil Hadley?
Is Michael Lewis the right man for the job? http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3479

For the unfortunately silly folks trying to somehow make this a Democratic issue:

All the folks who serve on the RIBTA Board were appointed by Republicans.

If Ms. Parrillo is reading: sorry I spelled your name wrong in the initial email but in the actual filing to the Supreme Court that will be corrected.

Now, I am willing to put my money where my mouth is. (Yes, I have an economic incentive for doing so.) Out of the folks who are able, who's willing to join me??

($20 from 1500 people means we get heard. $3000 from 1 person means the same thing. I'd love to see lots of small contributions from a myriad of folks)

Michael P. Lewis head of the Dept. of Transportation was involved in the massive overbudget (tune of billions!) Big Dig public works project in Boston. Is he the right man to have been hired to run things here in Rhode Island. Check the article out for yourself here:

http://www.tollroadsnews.com/node/3479

All you folks that are all upset over this toll have nobody to blame but yourselves. There is no money left because the politicians neglected the bridges and roads for years. They are taking your money and giving it out as legislative grants, extremely generous social programs, 38 Studio's and the list goes on and on. Instead of holding them accountable for their failures, you voted all of them back into office. With the exception of Dan Reilly, who was one of your strongest supporters. If a toll is what it takes for the citizens to finally to their duty and vote for people who really represent their best interests then bring on the toll.

A couple things need to be said:

1. Representative Reilly ,lost because he sponsored a Choice related ultrasound bill. On that day he was targeted, later he would be defeated. Had he not done that, I would have been against his targeting.

2. Trying to make this a Left/Right issue is silly and counterproductive since the folks bringing you the toll are holdovers from the failed Carcieri Administration. I suggest learning the lessons of the the last election is more important than waving an impotent fist in the air.

3. Based on the way RIBTA is organized, there is no connection whatsoever between it and any other spending.

4. I am putting my money where mouth is. Instead of failed partisan points, shouldn't you be checking how much you can bring to the table??

Who said anything about partisan politics. It just so happens that the politicians that caused this mess happen to be democrats. Not sure why Gov. Carceiri was brought into this topic. Everyone who educates themselves on RI politics know that the Governor does not have much autonomy in this state. The General Assembly holds all the power. I'm the furthest thing from a partisan, I have no use for political parties. If they were from the republican party I would make the same "throw them out" argument. People that blindly throw their support behind any politican just because they belong to a political party are doing a disservice to themselves and their fellow citizens. If one of your democrats is performing poorly you should vote them out and obviously that is not the case.

http://www.ri.gov/DOT/press/view.php?id=18123

Lookie here! Put a toll on this bridge and leave our bridge alone!! - oh wait, you will use the revenue from Sakonnet to pay for this bridge in Cumberland

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) today announced that it will close the State-owned Manville Hill Road Bridge on the Cumberland/Lincoln line effective this afternoon. The 58-year-old bridge carries Manville Hill Road over the Blackstone River, the Blackstone River Bikeway and the Providence & Worcester Railroad.

"Based upon a recent inspection, RIDOT is closing the Manville Road Bridge today," said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. "We regret any inconvenience this closure may cause the two host communities. However, safety is our first priority."

During a bridge inspection this week, engineers noted steel and bridge beam deterioration significant enough to require the Department to close the bridge. The 233-foot long bridge carries 4,300 vehicles per day.

Rehabilitation of the Manville Hill Road Bridge is under design. RIDOT is investigating options to make immediate repairs to minimize the duration of the closure. Additional repair work will be addressed through an upcoming construction contract scheduled to begin in Summer 2013.

Good Year,

Thank you for providing me with a teaching opportunity.

Please review the following facts:

1. Toll rates, in violation of Article V, are set solely by RIBTA.

2. The folks who do the rate setting are appointees of the Governor.

3. Currently, they were all appointed by Governor Carcieri. (Therefore, he wasn't dragged in - he's here by statute)

4.In this case, only the Governor is in play. Therefore, your statement fails.

5. The person who votes for someone supposedly "above Parties" usually votes for the useless. See John McCain.

6. If one of my Democrats is performing poorly, I go find another Democrat to challenge them. We call this process a Primary. Please see former, feels so good to type that, Reps. Menard and Brien.

This is not the time to fight about the past. We need to stand together in opposition to this toll. Send those letters to Washington. Tell them how a toll will adversely effect you, your family,your business or other reasons .
Federal Highway Administration
Att.Sakonnet Bridge toll RI.
1200 New Jersey Ave., SE
Washington, DC 20590

Yo silly Democrats. Toll, tax, spend, waste...why, it's the DNC way of life! Toll, tax, spend, waste, plus nepotize and corrupt...why, that's the RI way of life! You dont' like it...move. Or, start voting the other way.

Replay of Monday toll meeting on Channel 18 NCTV today at noon. Please pass the word that folks have an opportunity to see the whole meeting.

I read that the e-mail address for the above FHA is-

execsecretariat.fhwa@fhwa.dot.gov

I believe the talks at the meetings were all for show. I agree with that thought. What they will probably do is drop the rate to $2 and say, see we compromised. We want NO tolls, not lower priced toll's. We are being bullied. With high taxes and nothing for it, and they want to drain us some more. I feel teapped here and I don't like it. As a new senior who always worked and paid my taxes I find this insulting to come after the little monies I have for a nest egg. R.I. wants that, too. Can't move away, far to many houses for sale. Every one wants out, or a cleaerer path but with the elected officals this was already a done deal . Never heard much from Newport but I pray you have some sense to not relect Piava Weed. Newport seems to have removed its self from the Islands problems. To bad. We are all going to suffer. Small buisnesses take so long to gel and now when they get on thier feet, here comes a toll or another tax. The goverment thinks we are the states piggy bank. How I wish we could do more than talk and write petitions. I would like to see us hold back on our taxes. They can't put us all in jail or fine all of us. Do we have any rights here? Does not look like it. I am really stressed over this like most . Thanks Joe Sousa for the info. We will try Washington now. Thanks Joe.

There are several efforts underway to stop the tolls. As an individual, the best way to help stop the proposed toll is to send a letter by regular mail. Many local East Bay elected officials are on record against the tolls. However, you are welcome to write or email them.

East Bay Legislator contact info is at www.donttoll.com.

Contact info for state senators is on this page http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Pages/Senate.aspx.

State representatives on this page http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Pages/House.aspx.

Key official contact info is below:

Governor Lincoln D. Chafee
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
Phone: (401) 222-2080
governor@governor.ri.gov

Senator M. Teresa Paiva-Weed
President of the Senate
318 State House
Providence, RI 02903
401-222-6655
sen-paivaweed@rilin.state.ri.us

Representative Gordon D. Fox
Speaker of the House
82 Smith Street
Providence, RI 02903
rep-fox@rilin.state.ri.us

Mr. Michael Lewis
Director of Transportation
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
2 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02903
customerservice@dot.ri.gov

Mr. Buddy Croft
Executive Director
Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority
P.O. Box 437
Jamestown, RI 02835
401-423-0800
buddy@ritba.org

Daniel Berman
Rhode Island Division Administrator, USDOT/FHWA
380 Westminster Street, Suite 547
Providence, RI 02903
401-528-4560
daniel.berman@dot.gov

Federal Highway Administration
Attn: Sakonnet River Bridge in Rhode Island
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20590
execsecretariat.fhwa@fhwa.dot.gov

Thank you so much for that information from the Portsmouth buissness association. I feel a little better. I am a senior retired and lived on this island 42 years. We live on so little money after we retired. We have a nest egg but if the tolls go up it will create so many problems not justfor myself but for alot of seniors. We worked paid taxes and now we get the shaft.It is really going to be hurtful for so many. My caregiver is in Fall river and so are my Dr's and family. i feel so cut off already nd that dam toll is not even here yet. Thank God for the Assosciation and all those who are out there trying to undo this ridiculous toll on the size of an over pass. Thanks for all you do for us. I am praying about this NOT to go through. It will really hurt alot of seniors and a lot of working people and just about all of us. Just not right.

The DOT blew money for years on cost overruns, design errors, lawsuits, duplication and insider contracts and gained a national reputation for bad roads and bridges and expensive mismanagement thereof. Now it's time for East Bay and Southeastern MA residents to bail them out?
Incedently, where is our newly re-elected Congressman Ciciline all this time. Any sign of him or his input?

@ electric Mike: It would take up too much space to type answers and there is some sensitive information regarding your questions. If you like, call Ray at 682-2007 and he can shed some light on that.

To all users of the Sakonnet River Bridge, and all those 37,000 people who took the time to sign our NO TOLL Petition; please pass this information to all your friends, relatives, neighbors, and fellow workers.

The various groups working to stop the proposed the toll are working behind the scenes closely with the East Bay state senators and representatives.

Senator Felag and Representative Edwards have introduced bills and are in the process of getting signatures. Almost all of the East Bay elected officials have signed the bills. We will not know who has not signed those bills until January 20th.

Once we do, we ask that if you know state senators or representatives on the mainland, is to ask them for their support for the bill repealing Article 20. We will get more information to you as soon as we can.

One key point for the elected folks on the mainland is that any toll is bad for the local economy and will have a spillover effect on the state economy and employment. We cannot afford to put up a toll in this state at all, anywhere. Secondly, money can be found within the $8.1 billion dollar state budget for bridge maintenance.

With enough support, the bills will go to committee and then possibly to hearings. Once we have details on the hearings, we are planning on having busses available for folks to testify at the hearings on Capitol Hill. We will need two more performances like December 3rd and December 4th.

We encourage folks to continue to write letters to the editor. We encourage business owners to capture empirical data on how a toll will specifically affect your business. We ask that you bring this information to the hearings, once they are scheduled.

Finally, we can continue to ask Senator Whitehouse for his support. He sits on the Transportation Committee. His Chief of Staff in Washington, DC is Sam Goodstein. Sam’s number is 202-224-2921. Call them and tell him that the economic and social impact studies that are required for the Federal Environmental Impact Statement were horribly inadequate.