Politics & Government

Are you Planning to Pay the New Sakonnet Toll?

It's been debated, contested, and protested — and now it's here. Will you pay the new toll on the Sakonnet Bridge?

Written by Joseph Hutnak

After what seems like years in the planning — and debating — thenew toll on the Sakonnet River Bridge went into effect on Aug. 19.

To say that the toll has been controversial would, admittedly, vastly understate the level of anger that it has caused East Bay residents.

And that consternation was probably made worse — if the recent outpouring of opposition is any clue —  when the General Assembly decided, in an 11th-hour vote, to impose a 10-cent fee after first deciding not to place toll booths on the bridge until 2014.

It appears that residents have theoption of not paying the toll, though what that may mean for their driver's licenses and registrations [governed by state law requiring payment of tolls, tickets, and other driving-related fees] remains unclear.

So far, the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority has said it'll use an "honor system" at the new toll booths — but its chairman, David Darlington, recently said if the new system doesn't raise enough money to maintain the new span, RIBTA can return the bridge to state control.

Have your say: Now that the tolls are in place, what do you plan to do? Will you pay it, or will you take your chances and not cough up the 10 cents?

Will it affect your commute around the East Bay, especially to Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport?

Post your thoughts in the comment section below.


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