Tolls Protest Planned For Sakonnet River Bridge Opening Ceremony
Tiverton STOP, a citizens' action committee working to stop tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge, is planning a protest at Friday's Sakonnet River Bridge opening ceremony.
Tiverton STOP is looking to shift the focus to the growing momentum behind East Bay's anti-toll movement at Friday morning's opening ceremony for the new Sakonnet River Bridge.
The state Department of Transportation's RSVP-only opening ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on the bridge deck of the old Sakonnet River Bridge this Friday. Both DOT Director Michael P. Lewis and Gov. Lincoln Chafee will attend.
"We would like to ask all our members, if they are available, to please attend the ceremony," said Joy Gilkeson, one of Tiverton STOP's organizaers, in an email on Tuesday. "A small "NO TOLLS" poster or sign would also be great. We'd like to ask that all posters be respectful and that everyone refrain from name calling, etc."
Tiverton STOP held its launch meeting last Thursday, Sept. 4. One of the group's goals is to increase visibility of the East Bay's opposition to the tolls by placing citizen activists - and their signs - at events like this one.
East Bay residents have gathered 15,000 to 20,000 signatures on petitions in opposition to the tolls.
According to a DOT press release, for directions to the parking lot near the bridge deck of the original structure, take I-195 East to Route 24 South to Exit 5 (Main Rd.). Take a left off of the exit. Take the first right where a police officer will guide you to the closed on-ramp to the old bridge. Please park on the
bridge deck.
Jim L
8:25 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
OUR Bridge? Their Bridge? In 2 weeks i have been to South Kingston twice Paid my $4.00 with my NJ transponder, didn't bother me, hell it's a big bridge, can't see from one side to the , came back thru Providence , Had to go back yesterday, , CHOSE to drive thru Providence , now for some reason I find myself looking at all the overpasses on the way, They are all a MESS major rust on all the seams, just turning into junk, My point in all this is WHERE are the TOLLs to fix that? Stop you drive up 24 and before you get 1/4 mile into Ma their road crew is right there fixing an overpass, drive to Boston, thats repeated, what you don't see is Ma. slapping a toll on the Braga Bridge to make Ri workers pay for Ma bridge repairs and you see Ma DOT workers taking care of the steel in their state We have the smallest amout of road surface in the USA in RI, and now The Ga wants the smallest new bridge in the state to PAY for Maintance for the 3 biggest bridges in the state, and 2 of them with new building methods that need 1/8 or so of the work of the other 2, AND then RI taxpayers don't even get the MONEY, it get's funnelled to that new Bed and Breakfast Palace the Bridge /Turnpike crew are building even as more aotumation sets in, !! Their ever hiring folks, all this on 55% of Newport county residents 15% of up state RI folks and about 12% of Ma residents Opps almost forgot the MAYBE 18% of the tourist that will disappear when they get hit with the RI cover charge, NO TOLLS
Herb Weiss
10:35 am on Thursday, October 4, 2012
The Sakonnet River Bridge, if tolled would be the SHORTEST SPAN BRIDGE IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD TO HAVE A TOLL!!! Governor Chafee and the Rhode Island Legislature, thats not what Rhode Island wants to be known for to grow business in this state. This is a short span puddle jump, low maintenance Bridge. NO TOLL
East side
10:24 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
Need tolls to pay for the bridges in the tolls jurisdiction. The above comments are not aware how the system works. The bridges that fall under the bridge authority get repaired. Yes, they collect tolls. Yes, they get repaired. Yes, they stay open. Yes to tolls.
Herb Weiss
11:14 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
I'm well aware how the system works... Governor Chafee and the Rhode Island Legislature have a discriminating tax policy on Aquidneck Island Newport County. Chafee wants Islanders to pay to repair and maintain all Rhode Island Roads and Bridges. We already pay for the Pell Bridge, toll and now Chafee wants to form a tax Blockade on the Island Which I feel Is Illegal and uncontitutional. NO DOUBLE TAXATION OF AQUIDNECK ISLAND!!!!!!NO TOLL!!!!
Herb Weiss
11:38 am on Friday, October 5, 2012
We the People of Aquidneck Island need to lease a Bill Board on interstate 195 in Providence on Chafee's plan on the BLOCKADE TOLL TAX AND DOUBLE TAXATION OF RHODE ISLANDER'S AND END THE RITBA TO SAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS YEARLY.
Quahaug Nation
12:45 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
The Sakonnet Bridge may be the most unfair toll bridge for Aquidneck Islanders, our businesses, and our interstate commuters, but it is not the shortest toll bridge in the US by far. Among others, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (NJ/PA) operates several much shorter toll bridges. We have enough facts on our side without making incorrect statements which weaken our arguments.
Herb Weiss
8:24 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission provides safe, dependable and efficient river crossings between Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 140 MILES OF ROADWAY BETWEEN BORDERING STATES ...
Stretching roughly 140 miles from the Philadelphia/Bucks County, Pa. boundary northward to the New Jersey/New York state line, the Commission's jurisdiction encompasses a diverse geographic region featuring bustling cities, quaint river villages, and scenic portions of the Delaware River where nature's beauty abounds.
Herb Weiss
8:38 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
This cannot be compared with the Sakonnet River Bridge with few miles of roadway to the Massachusetts State Line.
Herb Weiss
8:41 pm on Friday, October 5, 2012
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge is a toll road that encompasses 140 miles of Roadway.