Friday, May 3, 2013
Former Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk said it is important for Aquidneck Island to have a voice on the RITBA board.
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority board voted Wednesday to re-elect David Darlington, of North Kingstown, as chairman and former Newport Mayor Stephen Waluk as vice chairman. Waluk was first appointed to the RITBA board by Governor Carcieri in 2005 and was recently reappointed by Governor Chafee for another four year term. "I am happy to be re-elected as Vice Chair of the RITBA," said Waluk. "It is important that Newport and Aquidneck Island have a voice on this board." Last year, Rhode Island's General Assembly approved to move two additional bridges into RIBTA's jurisdiction and install tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge to fund the maintenance. The law has been met by strong opposition by East Bay lawmakers and …
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
There was no lack of audience at the second in a pair of public hearings on the Sakonnet River Bridge toll by the state Department of Transportation in Tiverton on Tuesday night.
Hundreds of residents packed Tiverton High School auditorium, hoping to be heard at the second Sakonnet Bridge toll hearing on Tuesday night. Michael P. Lewis, director of the Department of Transportation (DOT) opened the meeting at 7:02 p.m. and told residents he would provide an abridged presentation explaining the agency's revenue problems. "It is not lost on me that this is not a popular proposal, but we are going to talk about the reasons why this is being considered," said Lewis. "The background on how transportation is funded in state, the history of the [state] Turnpike and Bridge Authority and what is this toll that is being proposed." "Most importantly this is a public hearing opportunity for us at RIDOT to hear from you on …
41.628317
-71.16656
Tiverton High School
100 N Brayton Rd, Tiverton, RI
/articles/hundreds-turn-out-for-second-hearing-on-bridge-tolls
496751
/locations/8303881
Monday, August 6, 2012
Portsmouth residents and businesses protest a plan for bridge tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge.
It was difficult to go anywhere in Portsmouth Monday without seeing or hearing complaints against plans to place toll booths on the new Sakonnet River Bridge. Several residents were seen first-hand signing a paper petition protesting the decision by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority to collect tolls on the new infrastructure. The decision came after the state turned over ownership of the bridge to the Turnpike and Bridge Authority. It is unknown how many signatures have been added to the petition, but the totals are adding up quick. The petition can be found at many locations throughout Portsmouth, including Town Hall, Clements' Marketplace, Reidy's Family Restaurant and Custom House Coffee. A Facebook group, Voters against …
41.60004
-71.25022
Clements' Market
2575 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI
/articles/petition-against-bridge-tolls-gaining-signatures
226391
/locations/7534287
41.61928
-71.24572
Reidy's Family Restaurant
3351 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI
/articles/petition-against-bridge-tolls-gaining-signatures
226563
/locations/7534288
41.58976
-71.25351
Portsmouth Town Hall
2200 E Main Rd, Portsmouth, RI
/articles/petition-against-bridge-tolls-gaining-signatures
226776
/locations/7534289
41.59115
-71.26695
Custom House Coffee
W Main Rd & King Charles Dr, Portsmouth, RI
/articles/petition-against-bridge-tolls-gaining-signatures
1342838
/locations/7534290
Saturday, July 21, 2012
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has extended its amnesty period.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Saturday, July 21, 2012
In response to public feedback, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority on June 22 added open road tolling on the Newport Pell Bridge with dedicated lanes for E-ZPass. RITBA has now enacted a grace period for those who used the E-ZPass-only lanes by accident because they were unaccustomed to the new configuration. The grace period will end on Aug. 1 when RITBA will enforce its unpaid toll schedule. During the amnesty period, the toll remains $2/axle (which is $4 for passenger vehicles). Starting Aug. 1, all who use Open Road Tolling (ORT) lanes without a valid transponder will be responsible for a $5/axle toll fee. “If drivers are unsure about which lane they should be in, it’s always best to choose the right-hand lanes,” said …
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
The Sakonnet River Bridge is currently 40 days past its completion date.
Despite the new Sakonnet River Bridge's northbound lanes opening in July, the bridge's ownership transfer to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority could take some time. "It's going to be a process," said Department of Transportation (DOT) spokesman Bryan D. Lucier. On Friday, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced they intend to bring tolls to the new Sakonnet River Bridge. The decision followed the General Assembly's approval of a plan in the governor's budget to transfer the bridge's ownership from the DOT to the Turnpike and Bridge Authority. The budget was signed into law Friday. The implementation of tolls, however, is not expected to delay the bridge's construction. "We're moving forward," Lucier said…
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The construction of an open road tolling system on the new Sakonnet River Bridge will cost $2 million, says Chairman David Darlington. This cost will be a determining factor on the set price for tolls.
Despite opposition from residents and East Bay state legislators, the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority announced Friday they intend to bring tolls to the new Sakonnet River Bridge. The decision followed the General Assembly's approval of a plan in the governor's budget to transfer the bridge's ownership. The budget was signed into law Friday. So where does this ownership transfer go from here? What will be the cost for the new toll? Bridge maintenance costs to determine toll price David Darlington, chairman of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, said three key studies will need to be performed before the toll price can be determined: a Toll and Revenue Study (traffic study), Environmental Impact Study and Cost of …
Gates have been removed in the left lanes, which will be exclusively used open road tolling.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
The following is a press release from the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority is pleased to announce that open road tolling is just days away. We want to inform you about the changes to the Newport Pell Bridge plaza so you can be ready to be in the correct lane. The new left lanes are for the exclusive use of vehicles with E-ZPass transponders only. The gates have been removed so you can drive through without stopping. You can still use the gated lanes if you prefer because E-ZPass will be accepted in all lanes. The new open road tolling lanes will open at the end of June. New road signs will appear shortly to help drivers navigate to their correct lanes. Because of the many …
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Senate could vote later today on the budget, which includes a proposal to transfer ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Monday, June 11, 2012
The Rhode Island Senate is expected to vote today on the 2013 budget bill, 2012-H 7323Aaa, which includes a proposal to transfer ownership of the Sakonnet River Bridge. The 2013 $8.1-million spending plan, which was passed by the House of Representatives early in the morning of June 8, was heard by the Senate Committee on Finance on Friday, which subsequently reported the bill out for a vote by the full chamber. The governor's budget includes a proposal to transfer ownership of the new Sakonnet River Bridge from the Department of Transportation to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, ultimately anticipating tolls to be placed on the span of Route 24 connecting Tiverton to Portsmouth. The Senate floor session is scheduled to …
Thursday, March 15, 2012
A loose stone causes some residents and local kayakers to question the safety of the bridge.
A visibly displaced block at the base of the Mount Hope Bridge caused one local kayaker to question the safety of this span. "How safe is the Mt Hope bridge," asked Bob Obara after spotting the displacement. Obara, a local kayaker, took the picture above at the end of February. Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority (RITBA) Chairman David Darlington says the displacement causes no structural damage to the bridge and is not cause for alarm, reports The Sakonnet Times. The stone will be replaced this season.
Friday, February 17, 2012
The bill would place the new Turnpike and Bridge Division under the direction of an assistant director at DOT.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Friday, February 17, 2012
The Rhode Island General Assembly recently announced a new piece of legislation introduced by Rep. Richard Morrison. The bill would essentially dissolve the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and move all of its projects to be handled by a division of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. The following is the official release from the Rhode Island General Assembly: If shrinking government and making it more efficient can save taxpayer money, Rep. Richard P. Morrison (D-Dist. 68, Bristol, Warren) has a suggestion about where to start. He has introduced legislation that will dissolve the quasi-public Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority, moving all its duties and functions to the RI Department of Transportation in a …
John Weisley
11:39 pm on Friday, May 3, 2013
How many people does it take to hire a contractor to paint a bridge??? In Rhode Island it takes 150 people and $5 million a year to hire someone else to do all the work - when are people going to say "enough is enough" This "tax" could go to something more useful, like education, or back in resident's pockets to they could buy more stuff from local vendors. more ›