Stumbled across this project while researching Rhode Island roads. The old steel truss bridge of the RI 24 freeway is being replaced by a plain toll bridge (albeit with ornamental piers).
Sakonnet River Bridge Replacement Project (http://www.dot.ri.gov/construction/Sakonnet/index.asp)
QuoteIn April 2009, RIDOT broke ground on the new bridge project, which is set for completion in 2013. The bridge is expected to be open to traffic in phases in 2012.
The new bridge will be 2,265 feet long and approximately 96 feet wide. Motorists will find two 12-foot lanes in each direction with wide shoulders. The bridge includes a planned 13-foot wide bicycle and pedestrian path on the north side of the bridge. Mariners will find a wider passage under the bridge's center span and the new bridge will maintain the minimum vertical clearance over the river of 65 feet. The project also calls for a parking area and a boat ramp on the Tiverton side of the bridge.
Sakonnet bridge tolls on track to start in June (http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2012/08/03/sakonnet-bridge-tolls-track-start-june/1qZXcjKElczWrietKktd4J/story.html)
QuoteThe chairman of the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority says tolls are on track to start on the Sakonnet River Bridge next June. David Darlington told the Newport Daily News that the amount of the toll is likely to be in line with the tolls on the Pell Bridge, which are currently $4 if paid with cash or 83 cents for state residents who pay with an E-ZPass transponder. The state is turning over the bridge to the authority, which already oversees the Pell and Mount Hope bridges. Darlington says work has already begun on studies to help determine the toll. He says the authority must also go through environmental studies, hold public hearings, and take other steps before the process is completed.
One of the several stories or articles published within the last week on residents protesting tolls:
Protests planned against bridge tolls (http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/east_bay/portsmouth-protests-planned-against-sakonnet-river-bridge-tolls)
QuotePORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) - More protests against plans to put tolls on the new Sakonnet River bridge are expected at the next Portsmouth town council meeting.
Residents of Aquidneck Island gathered in the pouring rain Friday to voice their outrage over the plan.
They claim the tolls would be an unfair penalty to people who live in that area.
Opponents are circulating a petition, both in paper and online.
State officials argue the toll revenue is needed to fund maintenance of the bridge which connects Portsmouth and Tiverton.
I would sure protest adding tolls on a bridge that never had them. (This came up in another thread.) Mount Hope is an unusual bridge to mention because it's still free. Wonder if that'll last?
I know they are studying re-instating tolls on the Mt. Hope Bridge (it has only been free since 1998), but there is question of whether or not it would be feasible. That bridge carries much less out-of-state traffic then the Pell or Sakonnet bridges. There is also some legislative issues about what the toll rates can be on that bridge, since it's toll schedule was specified in a state law back in the 1960s, (unlike the Pell bridge which has rates that are changeable and set by the RITBA).
Here's an update on the toll situation:
http://tiverton.patch.com/articles/lawmakers-to-discuss-alternative-to-tolls-today-7b73c903
UPDATE (5/22/13):
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority is installing an electronic toll system on the new Sakonnet River Bridge.
Authority Chairman David Darlington tells the Newport Daily News the system will likely be in place by the weekend. Then it will take several weeks to wire and test it.
Darlington says it could be operational by late June or early July. The toll is set at 75 cents per trip for Rhode Islanders with an E-ZPass transponder. Non-residents with an E-ZPass will pay $3.75 per crossing. Those without transponders will have to pay $5.25.
Local opposition to tolls on the bridge continues, with members of the General Assembly from Aquidneck Island pushing to reverse moves that allowed the toll. The town of Portsmouth is suing to prevent a toll.
Quote from: southshore720 on May 23, 2013, 02:53:26 PMDarlington says it could be operational by late June or early July. The toll is set at 75 cents per trip for Rhode Islanders with an E-ZPass transponder. Non-residents with an E-ZPass will pay $3.75 per crossing. Those without transponders will have to pay $5.25.
Those toll rates are
per crossing???
So a Fall River resident visiting family in Aquidneck Island would have to pay $7.50 - $10.50 round-trip. Can anyone say highway robbery?
Even Boston's tunnels (Sumner & Williams) only charge $3.50 total (inbound only).
Quote from: Steve on August 14, 2012, 09:05:33 PM
I would sure protest adding tolls on a bridge that never had them. (This came up in another thread.) Mount Hope is an unusual bridge to mention because it's still free. Wonder if that'll last?
Apples & oranges comparision, Mt. Hope Bridge's highest passenger car toll was
never higher than $0.30 each-way. The token rate was still $0.10 each-way back in the late-80s.
If the toll for the new Sakonnet Bridge was
no higher than $1-$1.50; I don't believe there would be as much outrage or protest.
IMHO, the RITBA is overplaying their hand with this upcoming exhorbitant toll rate.
Quote from: PHLBOS on May 23, 2013, 04:16:17 PM
Quote from: southshore720 on May 23, 2013, 02:53:26 PMDarlington says it could be operational by late June or early July. The toll is set at 75 cents per trip for Rhode Islanders with an E-ZPass transponder. Non-residents with an E-ZPass will pay $3.75 per crossing. Those without transponders will have to pay $5.25.
Those toll rates are per crossing???
So a Fall River resident visiting family in Aquidneck Island would have to pay $7.50 - $10.50 round-trip. Can anyone say highway robbery?
Even Boston's tunnels (Sumner & Williams) only charge $3.50 total (inbound only).
Quote from: Steve on August 14, 2012, 09:05:33 PM
I would sure protest adding tolls on a bridge that never had them. (This came up in another thread.) Mount Hope is an unusual bridge to mention because it's still free. Wonder if that'll last?
Apples & oranges comparision, Mt. Hope Bridge's highest passenger car toll was never higher than $0.30 each-way. The token rate was still $0.10 each-way back in the late-80s.
If the toll for the new Sakonnet Bridge was no higher than $1-$1.50; I don't believe there would be as much outrage or protest.
IMHO, the RITBA is overplaying their hand with this upcoming exhorbitant toll rate.
Well, the Newport/Pell Bridge toll is $4.00 each way ($0.83 for RI residents with a RI E-ZPass).
Basically, they justify the tolls by allowing RI residents (the ones that vote for the people planning this) to get through with a much cheaper rate than everyone else. So you're right, a Fall River resident visiting family in Aquidneck Island would pay $7.50 - $10.50, while the Aquidneck Island family visiting Fall River would pay $1.50.
They probably will have a frequent user discount that out-of-state residents can purchase, just like for the Pell Bridge. On that bridge, it is $5.46 for 6 "trips" that expire in 30 days, and also an unlimited plan for $40 per 30 day period, vs. $4.00 each way with no discount plan. So if that Fall River resident establishes a RI E-ZPass account, they can pay $5.46 for up to 3 round trips in a month. Even if they only take one round trip, $5.46 for the discount plan plus letting the other 4 trips expire is cheaper than $8.00 with no discount.
But what they bank on is this:
1) people from out of state going to Aquidneck Island are wealthy and will pay.
2) People will drive through the E-ZPass lane and not notice how much they are paying until much later.
3) the number of "in-the-know" people who will go out of their way to purchase a RI E-ZPass transponder and set up a discount plan is few and far between...most tourists come from outside of RI, and the vast majority of people establish only one E-ZPass account in their home state. I have more than one, and it is a pain to juggle transponders, but I'm not tossing money down the drain for no good reason on routes I travel often. I'm a very rare breed. Most people would just suck it up and pay on a route they travel infrequently, including myself if I ever drove up there. I just don't go up there often enough to justify having another E-ZPass account, so I'd just hold my breath and pay the high toll.
I'm not sure if I'm really a fan of the resident discount plan. Most other resident plans are restricted to an island that can only be reached via a certain toll bridge (Staten Island, Grand Island, Key Biscayne), portions of cities that are "orphaned" (Rockaways, East Boston, and to be fair they also let Broad Channel, South Boston and North End residents participate in the respective plans), or residents of areas that fall victim to a pricing scheme meant for long distance travelers (Roebling and Florence residents get a discount off of Exit 6 tolls on the NJ Turnpike, since the Exit 6 toll rates include the NJ half of the Delaware River Bridge, but those particular residents will almost never cross the bridge when exiting the Turnpike at Exit 6, they are exiting at US 130 to go home). Other discounts to people from a certain state are not really that, it is not based on residency, rather it is based on what E-ZPass transponder you have. So if you have a NY E-ZPass, you pay a cheaper toll per trip on the MTA Bridges and Tunnels than someone with an out of state E-ZPass, but they make it very clear that, "anyone regardless of residency may apply for a NY E-ZPass account". In RI, granting discounts based on what state the person lives in seems very arbitrary, as I cannot see a reason why someone in Westerly needs a discount on the Sakonnet River Bridge, but someone who lives in Fall River does not need it, despite living far closer but just so happening to live in another state. Unfortunately, the courts disagreed with me.
I feel bad for the business owners in Portsmouth and Middletown who are really going to suffer from this.
Quote from: mtantillo on May 23, 2013, 05:35:48 PMWell, the Newport/Pell Bridge toll is $4.00 each way ($0.83 for RI residents with a RI E-ZPass).
Again, apples and oranges comparision in that prior to that bridge (with accompanying tolls) being built (in the late 60s); there was no quick way to
continuously drive between Newport & Jamestown. I'm assuming there was a ferry of sorts back then (that also had a charge/usage fee).
In the case of the Sakonnet Bridge; we're talking about going from a free expressway bridge (since the 1950s when it was originally built) to an exhorbitantly-priced toll bridge. Again, if the non-resident cash/EZ Pass toll was closer to the resident toll; most would've accepted it. And again, there's no nearby toll-free alternative route. At least w/the exhorbitant $4 each-way (w/no EZ Pass discount whatsoever) I-95 toll in Delaware near the MD State Line; there's nearby alternate toll-free routes to bypass it.
Quote from: mtantillo on May 23, 2013, 05:35:48 PMThey probably will have a frequent user discount that out-of-state residents can purchase, just like for the Pell Bridge. On that bridge, it is $5.46 for 6 "trips" that expire in 30 days, and also an unlimited plan for $40 per 30 day period, vs. $4.00 each way with no discount plan. So if that Fall River resident establishes a RI E-ZPass account, they can pay $5.46 for up to 3 round trips in a month. Even if they only take one round trip, $5.46 for the discount plan plus letting the other 4 trips expire is cheaper than $8.00 with no discount.
Why do I see this whole thing creating more problems than it solves?
Quote from: mtantillo on May 23, 2013, 05:35:48 PM
But what they bank on is this:
1) people from out of state going to Aquidneck Island are wealthy and will pay.
Excuse me, although I went to nearby Roger Williams (the College now University) during the 1980s; I was (and am) not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination. Some of the friends I made that live in Portsmouth, Tiverton, Middletown and even Newport while living on/near campus don't necessarily fit the rich/wealthy stereotypes. Many of them were ticked when the Mount Hope Bridge was closed for several months for a re-decking project back in the 1980s. A 3-mile Portsmouth-Bristol one-way drive turned into a 24-mile one-way drive.
Quote from: mtantillo on May 23, 2013, 05:35:48 PM
2) People will drive through the E-ZPass lane and not notice how much they are paying until much later.
Sad, but true... The sticker shock they get when reading their statements will likely occur well after the fact.
Quote from: mtantillo on May 23, 2013, 05:35:48 PM
3) the number of "in-the-know" people who will go out of their way to purchase a RI E-ZPass transponder and set up a discount plan is few and far between...most tourists come from outside of RI, and the vast majority of people establish only one E-ZPass account in their home state.
Again, this creates more problems than it solves IMHO. I could see the agency cracking down on such usage down the road.
Once upon a time, many MA residents would apply for a NY EZ-Pass as a means of bypassing the fee that the MTA (Massachusetts Turnpike Authority) would charge its FastLane users while still getting the discounted Mass Pike and Boston Harbor Tunnel tolls. Needless to say the MTA put a halt to that practice fairly quickly. From that point on; in order to get the toll discounts, one needed a FastLane (now MA-based EZ-Pass) account.
This article has photos of the toll installation:
http://tiverton.patch.com/articles/toll-gantry-is-up-but-no-charge-til-july-1#photo-14576137
Heh, I actually found something quite interesting. http://www.ritba.org/4bridgetollrates.html
That site lists the toll rates.
Quote
1. All 2 axle, 4 tire passenger cars with a RI E-ZPass pay the lowest rate:
Sakonnet River Bridge $0.75
Newport/Pell Bridge $0.83
Note: Anyone can purchase a Rhode Island transponder, regardless of where you live.
I guess this means that discriminatory pricing for RI residents vs. non-RI residents is over? Seems to me like they are saying anyone can get the dirt cheap RI E-ZPass rates simply by signing up for a RI E-ZPass, regardless of residency. This is the exact language that NY E-ZPass used to quiet people who were howling over the restriction of MTA E-ZPass discounts to NY E-ZPasses only. If this is true, this is a positive development for those who frequent Aquidneck Island, but live out of state.
Quote
2. Customers with a RI E-ZPass, 2 axle, 4 tire passenger vehicles do not pay more than one (1) round trip per transponder per calendar day (midnight to midnight) per bridge
Note: This is transponder specific, not account specific
Note: Each bridge is subject to the daily discount
Another semi-positive development. If you have a RI E-ZPass, apparently that means the tolls are capped at $1.66 per day for Newport Bridge and $1.50 per day for Sakonnet River Bridge. Not even really sure why anyone would purchase the unlimited plan, because you would only save if you did a round trip almost every single day.
So, not that I was ever in favor of instituting tolls, but it seems like RITBA is allowing anyone, regardless of residency, to get some extreme discounts simply by signing up for a RI E-ZPass, which at least takes the big sting out of their plan.
Quote from: mtantillo on May 28, 2013, 09:12:53 PMSo, not that I was ever in favor of instituting tolls, but it seems like RITBA is allowing anyone, regardless of residency, to get some extreme discounts simply by signing up for a RI E-ZPass, which at least takes the big sting out of their plan.
...for now. Things can change in a few years time.
Once upon a time when both the PTC, DRPA & NJ Consortium first established EZ-Pass, anyone who signed for the automatic account replenishment (which required a credit card number); all supplemental fees were waived. A few years later, monthly or annual fees were instituted. The DRPA & NJ Consortium insitiuted a $1/month (=$12/year) fee and the PTC established a $6/year fee (since reduce to $3/year).
Additionally, toll discounts were either reduced or eliminated. The DRPA beefed up its trip eligibility requirements to obtain a discount commuter rate and the agency that runs the Delaware Turnpike (I-95) abolished
all EZ Pass discounts across-the-board at the same time it raised its base toll rate to $4 several years ago.
That said, I would take some of those toll discount "promises" RITBA is making with a grain of salt. After all, this new bridge originally wasn't supposed to be toll bridge in the first place (which is why the Town of Portsmouth is suing).
Oh, I know all about E-ZPass revoking discounts. The most eggregious examples are probably the NJ Turnpike (50% markup on off-peak tolls for out of state transponders by charging cash rate), and the worst of them all, MTA in NYC giving huge discounts to NY transponders but not others. $10.66 round trip MTA toll with NY E-ZPass, $15 with cash or out-of state. It is for that reason that I maintain an MTA transponder (free transponder, no monthly fee, no account balance with the Pay-per-trip plan linked to my bank account) in my console solely for the purpose of entering and exiting Long Island.
But you're right, perhaps RITBA's plans are for this to be an "introductory" offer only.
Quote from: PHLBOS on May 28, 2013, 11:02:56 AM
Quote from: mtantillo on May 23, 2013, 05:35:48 PMWell, the Newport/Pell Bridge toll is $4.00 each way ($0.83 for RI residents with a RI E-ZPass).
Again, apples and oranges comparision in that prior to that bridge (with accompanying tolls) being built (in the late 60s); there was no quick way to continuously drive between Newport & Jamestown. I'm assuming there was a ferry of sorts back then (that also had a charge/usage fee).
There definitely was a ferry, shown on old maps and you can still follow the old island routing between ferry docks.
Now let's not forget if you really hate the toll, you can still go the long way to Mt. Hope.
Quote from: Steve on June 09, 2013, 04:03:46 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on May 28, 2013, 11:02:56 AM
Quote from: mtantillo on May 23, 2013, 05:35:48 PMWell, the Newport/Pell Bridge toll is $4.00 each way ($0.83 for RI residents with a RI E-ZPass).
Again, apples and oranges comparision in that prior to that bridge (with accompanying tolls) being built (in the late 60s); there was no quick way to continuously drive between Newport & Jamestown. I'm assuming there was a ferry of sorts back then (that also had a charge/usage fee).
There definitely was a ferry, shown on old maps and you can still follow the old island routing between ferry docks.
Now let's not forget if you really hate the toll, you can still go the long way to Mt. Hope.
See one of my earlier posts on that subject in this thread.
1. Such an alternate route would
not be considered a
nearby toll-free alternative.
2. Many in the area absolutely
hated it when the Mount Hope Bridge was completely shut for repairs (about 4 months) in 1986 because of the extra driving involved. Architecture students at my college alma-matter were impacted very heavily by that bridge closing due to their design studios were in Portsmouth at the time while the rest of the campus is in Bristol. The Architecture Building (w/new design studios) on the main Bristol campus was still under construction at the time and wouldn't open until the spring of 1987; well after the bridge work was done.
I can only imagine the intensified howling there would have been had the Mt. Hope Bridge repair shutdown took place after these exhorbitant tolls on the Sakonnet take effect.
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 09, 2013, 04:31:40 PM
Quote from: Steve on June 09, 2013, 04:03:46 PM
Quote from: PHLBOS on May 28, 2013, 11:02:56 AM
Quote from: mtantillo on May 23, 2013, 05:35:48 PMWell, the Newport/Pell Bridge toll is $4.00 each way ($0.83 for RI residents with a RI E-ZPass).
Again, apples and oranges comparision in that prior to that bridge (with accompanying tolls) being built (in the late 60s); there was no quick way to continuously drive between Newport & Jamestown. I'm assuming there was a ferry of sorts back then (that also had a charge/usage fee).
There definitely was a ferry, shown on old maps and you can still follow the old island routing between ferry docks.
Now let's not forget if you really hate the toll, you can still go the long way to Mt. Hope.
See one of my earlier posts on that subject in this thread.
1. Such an alternate route would not be considered a nearby toll-free alternative.
2. Many in the area absolutely hated it when the Mount Hope Bridge was completely shut for repairs (about 4 months) in 1986 because of the extra driving involved. Architecture students at my college alma-matter were impacted very heavily by that bridge closing due to their design studios were in Portsmouth at the time while the rest of the campus is in Bristol. The Architecture Building (w/new design studios) on the main Bristol campus was still under construction at the time and wouldn't open until the spring of 1987; well after the bridge work was done.
I can only imagine the intensified howling there would have been had the Mt. Hope Bridge repair shutdown took place after these exhorbitant tolls on the Sakonnet take effect.
I wasn't really looking to reopen the discussion, just saying that if you REALLY, REALLY hate tolls, this isn't the end of the world, although I would agree people aren't going to look at the long way as viable.
RI House votes to stop Sakonnet tolls until February
Lawmakers order study of other ways to fund bridge
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/east_bay/ri-house-votes-to-stop-sakonnet-tolls-until-february
Quote from: southshore720 on June 28, 2013, 05:46:30 PM
RI House votes to stop Sakonnet tolls until February
Lawmakers order study of other ways to fund bridge
http://www.wpri.com/dpp/news/local_news/east_bay/ri-house-votes-to-stop-sakonnet-tolls-until-february
Good news certainly, for now.
Just kidding on that toll delay. Apparently now the price is going to be $0.10 in this rapidly changing tale of toll woe...
http://www.turnto10.com/story/22745010/ri-lawmakers-work-toward-adjournment#.UdNRE3uZtuk.facebook
Quote from: southshore720 on July 02, 2013, 07:17:12 PM
Just kidding on that toll delay. Apparently now the price is going to be $0.10 in this rapidly changing tale of toll woe...
http://www.turnto10.com/story/22745010/ri-lawmakers-work-toward-adjournment#.UdNRE3uZtuk.facebook
I'd pay 10 cents to cross it. Thing is, how are people getting tolled? That's a waste of open-road tolling, and I bet the threshold will be similar to Florida ($5) for those without transponders.
The 10 cent toll is just a foot in the door that's basically saying "get used to the idea of there being a toll, but in the meantime we'll set said toll at practically nothing and say we're working on figuring out an alternative, so don't complain yet". Then either an alternative will be figured out, and the legislators get to pat themselves on the back, or no alternative will be figured out and the toll will go up to what it was originally supposed to be the instant the restriction expires - but by then people will have moved on to worrying about other things and it will cause less of a stir.
Win-win for the politicians. :pan:
I crossed the Sakonnet River Bridge on December 26, 2013. The $0.10 toll has yet to post to my NY E-ZPass account. Are they even collecting tolls, or did they give up after realizing the cost of collecting a 10 cent toll is too high?
I would argue that the whole "we're collecting a 10 cent toll so we can say to the Feds that we were collecting a toll as soon as the bridge was complete so we don't lose our right to impose a higher toll in the future" argument goes out the window unless RITBA actually collects the tolls from E-ZPass accounts (including out of state ones) and bills people without transponders.
FYI - the $4.00 for the Pell/Newport Bridge posted to my NY E-ZPass account the very next day with no problem.
I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't collecting tolls right, they've had all sorts of problems. Heck, someone even tried to set the tolls on fire last August:
http://middletown.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/arsonist-sets-fire-on-sakonnet-river-bridge_fd88f291
My opinion on this whole bridge/toll situation, I say make MA-24 and RI-24 a continuation of I-93 as mentioned in this post:
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=7519.0
That way it becomes part of the Interstate Highway system, get rid of the toll, and they can collect federal funds to pay for maintaining the bridge. :)
I may write a letter to their FHWA administrator letting them know that they are not really collecting tolls, just making believe they are. That goes against the spirit of the law that says they have to collect when the bridge is substantially complete, and by not doing so, in my opinion, they've already given up their right to ever collect real tolls on it.
The tolls might be going away!!
Article: http://newport.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/bills-would-block-sakonnet-tolls-create-infrastructure-fund
Quote from: southshore720 on February 16, 2014, 01:02:53 PM
The tolls might be going away!!
Article: http://newport.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/bills-would-block-sakonnet-tolls-create-infrastructure-fund
I'll believe it when the gantries are finally taken down.
I didn't read the articles, but what's the average cost per non-transponder transaction? The operating cost per transponder transaction is probably negligible once the system is in place. But 10¢ barely covers the bill and envelopes, never mind postage.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 17, 2014, 11:51:21 AM
I didn't read the articles, but what's the average cost per non-transponder transaction? The operating cost per transponder transaction is probably negligible once the system is in place. But 10¢ barely covers the bill and envelopes, never mind postage.
Non-transponder people are also charged the same $0.10, according to one article I read, the non-transponder people receive a bill once they've made 25 crossings. The bridge authority thought that was a reasonable amount to collect at as they claim it costs between 90 cents and $1 to mail a bill.
Or think of it this way, about 10 of the 25 crossings will be to pay for postage on bills.
Quote from: doogie1303 on February 17, 2014, 05:44:28 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 17, 2014, 11:51:21 AM
I didn't read the articles, but what's the average cost per non-transponder transaction? The operating cost per transponder transaction is probably negligible once the system is in place. But 10¢ barely covers the bill and envelopes, never mind postage.
Non-transponder people are also charged the same $0.10, according to one article I read, the non-transponder people receive a bill once they've made 25 crossings. The bridge authority thought that was a reasonable amount to collect at as they claim it costs between 90 cents and $1 to mail a bill.
Or think of it this way, about 10 of the 25 crossings will be to pay for postage on bills.
Something doesn't seem right about transponder users paying, say, 9¢ toward the bridge, and non-transponder users paying 6¢ toward it.
For the sake of equity and hilarity, I think there needs to be a two-tiered structure with a sign stating:
EZPass users 10¢
All others 13¢
I think it should be
2¢ for each car that crossed the toll booth within the last minute
That way, rush hour costs more.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 17, 2014, 10:45:05 PM
Quote from: doogie1303 on February 17, 2014, 05:44:28 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 17, 2014, 11:51:21 AM
I didn't read the articles, but what's the average cost per non-transponder transaction? The operating cost per transponder transaction is probably negligible once the system is in place. But 10¢ barely covers the bill and envelopes, never mind postage.
Non-transponder people are also charged the same $0.10, according to one article I read, the non-transponder people receive a bill once they've made 25 crossings. The bridge authority thought that was a reasonable amount to collect at as they claim it costs between 90 cents and $1 to mail a bill.
Or think of it this way, about 10 of the 25 crossings will be to pay for postage on bills.
Something doesn't seem right about transponder users paying, say, 9¢ toward the bridge, and non-transponder users paying 6¢ toward it.
For the sake of equity and hilarity, I think there needs to be a two-tiered structure with a sign stating:
EZPass users 10¢
All others 13¢
Now you have to subsidize the cost of the sign. Better make it 14¢.
Quote from: Alps on February 18, 2014, 12:25:53 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 17, 2014, 10:45:05 PM
Quote from: doogie1303 on February 17, 2014, 05:44:28 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 17, 2014, 11:51:21 AM
I didn't read the articles, but what's the average cost per non-transponder transaction? The operating cost per transponder transaction is probably negligible once the system is in place. But 10¢ barely covers the bill and envelopes, never mind postage.
Non-transponder people are also charged the same $0.10, according to one article I read, the non-transponder people receive a bill once they've made 25 crossings. The bridge authority thought that was a reasonable amount to collect at as they claim it costs between 90 cents and $1 to mail a bill.
Or think of it this way, about 10 of the 25 crossings will be to pay for postage on bills.
Something doesn't seem right about transponder users paying, say, 9¢ toward the bridge, and non-transponder users paying 6¢ toward it.
For the sake of equity and hilarity, I think there needs to be a two-tiered structure with a sign stating:
EZPass users 10¢
All others 13¢
Now you have to subsidize the cost of the sign. Better make it 14¢.
I figured to properly exploit the full comic potential of prices like that, it would be written with a ratty paintbrush on some worn-out wooden planks (with several instances of a backwards S). So the sign cost would be fairly low.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 18, 2014, 08:16:58 AM
it would be written with a ratty paintbrush on some worn-out wooden planks (with several instances of a backwards S).
so, RIDOT standard?
Quote from: spooky on February 18, 2014, 10:14:53 AM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 18, 2014, 08:16:58 AM
it would be written with a ratty paintbrush on some worn-out wooden planks (with several instances of a backwards S).
so, RIDOT standard?
A materials upgrade (from cardboard) from MBTA standard.
The tolls for this bridge were officially discontinued this past Friday. The state passed a new budget that eliminated the toll by increasing the gas tax 1 cent and channeling DMV and inspection fees to a new bridge and infrastructure fund.
The Newport Bridge is once again the only toll facility in RI.
Quote from: Beeper1 on June 26, 2014, 11:06:55 PM
The tolls for this bridge were officially discontinued this past Friday. The state passed a new budget that eliminated the toll by increasing the gas tax 1 cent and channeling DMV and inspection fees to a new bridge and infrastructure fund.
The Newport Bridge is once again the only toll facility in RI.
Do you have source for this info.? If confirmed, when's the gantry along RI 24 at the Sakonnet being dismantled?
Given RIDOT's "attention to detail," you'll probably see that gantry for *quite* some time...
*in Ronald Reagan voice* "RIDOT, TEAR DOWN THIS GANTRY!"
Quote from: PHLBOS on June 27, 2014, 08:19:35 AM
Quote from: Beeper1 on June 26, 2014, 11:06:55 PM
The tolls for this bridge were officially discontinued this past Friday. The state passed a new budget that eliminated the toll by increasing the gas tax 1 cent and channeling DMV and inspection fees to a new bridge and infrastructure fund.
The Newport Bridge is once again the only toll facility in RI.
Do you have source for this info.? If confirmed, when's the gantry along RI 24 at the Sakonnet being dismantled?
Conirmation and info on the equipment's fate: http://www.providencejournal.com/breaking-news/content/20140624-ri-bridge-authority-looks-to-reuse-sell-sakonnet-toll-equipment.ece
So, with the contract termination fee, the toll netted a $4.2 million loss.
How long will it take to sell 420 million gallons of gas in Rhode Island to cover this mistake?
As if RI needs another financial hit! :pan:
On a side note, that's a great photo of RI's liberal use of MA trailblazer shields in that linked article.
Quote from: southshore720 on July 19, 2014, 09:20:22 PM
As if RI needs another financial hit! :pan:
It's Rhode Island, so someone undoubtedly made a lot of money off it.
Maybe they should hang a highway sign off of it ...
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi263.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fii139%2Fdoogie1303%2Fgantry_fs_5_zps4576f342.jpg&hash=2fcc24116b4ce0119cc872fabc79a00e25537c27)
(sorry about the crappy photo edit)
Quote from: Pete from Boston on July 19, 2014, 09:06:25 PM
So, with the contract termination fee, the toll netted a $4.2 million loss.
How long will it take to sell 420 million gallons of gas in Rhode Island to cover this mistake bad political decision?
There, fixed it for you.
Thread Bump:
The AET gantry was finally taken down this past Sunday (Super Bowl Sunday).
Super Bowl Surprise: Sakonnet Bridge Toll Gantry Comes Down (http://www.eastbayri.com/news/super-bowl-surprise-sakonnet-bridge-toll-gantry-comes-down/)
QuoteWhile most of you were watching the Denver Broncos defeat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50, a different sort of victory was quietly being celebrated on the Sakonnet River Bridge.
Workers from Aetna Bridge Company dismantled the toll gantry on the Portsmouth side of the span late Sunday night while a handful of local legislators and other bridge toll opponents watched with glee.
I was through there with duke87 on Saturday. There was no toll.
Quote from: dgolub on February 08, 2016, 08:48:20 AM
I was through there with duke87 on Saturday. There was no toll.
Read further down in the article
bold emphasis added:
Quote from: East Bay RI ArticleAlthough the Rhode Island Bridge and Turnpike Authority ended its quest in June 2014 to collect a levy from drivers on the new bridge, opponents said they wouldn't be fully satisfied until the gantry was removed.
If the governor gets her way, they'll be recycling that gantry for the proposed truck tolls!
Sad. A responsible method to toll the bridge and fund improvements and it is removed for pure political purposes. I suppose raising the gas tax is out of question.
Quote from: Sherman Cahal on February 08, 2016, 04:02:39 PM
Sad. A responsible method to toll the bridge and fund improvements and it is removed for pure political purposes. I suppose raising the gas tax is out of question.
From the previous page in this thread (
bold emphasis added):
Quote from: Beeper1 on June 26, 2014, 11:06:55 PM
The tolls for this bridge were officially discontinued this past Friday. The state passed a new budget that eliminated the toll by increasing the gas tax 1 cent and channeling DMV and inspection fees to a new bridge and infrastructure fund.
The Newport Bridge is once again the only toll facility in RI.
That said, the toll rates that were originally being proposed, especially for out-of-state drivers, were exorbitant.
IMHO, RIBTA got a little too greedy (with the toll rates) and the public (thankfully) pushed back.
Had they proposed a more reasonable & modest toll rate for
all drivers; such probably would've stuck.
Thank you - I haven't been up with this project in well over a year and have forgotten about that.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on July 19, 2014, 09:06:25 PM
So, with the contract termination fee, the toll netted a $4.2 million loss.
How long will it take to sell 420 million gallons of gas in Rhode Island to cover this mistake?
If we assume the average gasoline powered vehicle gets 25 MPG, and that all of the roughly 1 million residents of Rhode Island travel the national average per capita VMT of roughly 9500 miles each year, that gives us:
420,000,000 gallons / (1,000,000 people x 9500 mi/person-yr / 25 mi/gal) = 1.1 years.
Numbers are approximate but it looks like the answer is a reasonable timeframe.
Quote from: Duke87 on February 09, 2016, 09:10:55 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on July 19, 2014, 09:06:25 PM
So, with the contract termination fee, the toll netted a $4.2 million loss.
How long will it take to sell 420 million gallons of gas in Rhode Island to cover this mistake?
If we assume the average gasoline powered vehicle gets 25 MPG, and that all of the roughly 1 million residents of Rhode Island travel the national average per capita VMT of roughly 9500 miles each year, that gives us:
420,000,000 gallons / (1,000,000 people x 9500 mi/person-yr / 25 mi/gal) = 1.1 years.
Numbers are approximate but it looks like the answer is a reasonable timeframe.
You beat me in the not-lazy contest. If the toll was intended to be permanent, however, there is a loss, as this pushes the start of actually paying for the bridge closer to the next maintenance milestone.
Was the gantry ever sold?
I have no real horse in the tolls vs. gas tax debate, but this all felt more reactionary than most toll issues. I mean, this had to be one of the cheapest tolls ever collected.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on February 09, 2016, 09:45:15 PM
Was the gantry ever sold?
The gantry is still there and my money is betting that it will outlast the old bridge by years.