Island lawmakers ended session June 25 without approving Gov. Gina Raimondo’s plan to repair infrastructure with truck-only user fees on about two dozen bridges. A month before, the Democrat governor introduced RhodeWorks, a 10-year,, $1.1 billion improvement plan. It was to be included in the upcoming state budget and proposed tolling Class 6 trucks and higher before it was amended to affect only Class 8 trucks, once per location per day.
The House passed a budget without RhodeWorks, while the Senate overwhelmingly approved a truck toll bill that dropped fees from $6 to 3.50. Legislators are expected to revisit the issue when their new session starts in January.
The Rhode Island Trucking Association said the Senate’s plan, which added rebates and tax credits for state businesses, could violate interstate commerce laws. The association has criticized the Raimondo administration for not disclosing the proposed tolling locations so local business owners can gauge potential impact.
RITA’s plan excludes tolling, but does increase costs for truckers. It would create more than $220 million over four years, which is the amount RhodeWorks allocates to repair 453 bridges outside of the 6/10 connector.
After the fourth year, RITA’s plan will produce annual revenue of $25.9 million. The state transportation department could bond this revenue for the 6/10 connector or the entire package could be bonded to include all RhodeWorks projects listed.
The association’s proposal could be implemented immediately, while Raimondo’s plan would require waiting until 2018 to spend $43 million on tolling gantries. It also would:
