Lawmakers try to block toll increases

MetroWest Daily News
Sat Nov 03, 2007

BOSTON -
MetroWest lawmakers are teaming up with their North Shore colleagues to block impending turnpike toll increases.

On Monday, the Turnpike Authority Board voted 3-2 to raise tolls 25 cents at the Allston and Rte. 128-Weston tolls and 50 cents at the one-way Sumner and Ted Williams tunnel tolls.

Eight MetroWest legislators signed onto a bill late Thursday that would freeze tolls until the Turnpike Authority conducts studies to justify the toll increase or finds a more equitable toll distribution.

"The way things are going (on Beacon Hill) I would be shocked if it passed,'' said Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham. "We're all ready able and willing to go and debate this, but the problem is we're the only ones who are affected by it.''

Brown views the bill as an opportunity to send a message to the independent authority.

"The biggest problem that most folks have is (the authority is) raising tolls before they cut costs ... it's a we're going to continue to do what we want and we don't care what you say attitude.''

Rep. David Linsky, D-Natick, has led the MetroWest delegation in opposing the toll increases, which are scheduled to occur every six years as the authority's debt obligations increase.

"None of us are happy with either the tolls as they are today, or the tolls that will go up 25 cents on Jan. 1,'' he said.
Linsky, like many of his MetroWest colleagues, believe a legislative study conducted several years ago already proves that commuters west of Boston are unfairly paying for Big Dig debt.

"For me there really isn't need for another commission. We signed onto the bill for the toll freeze aspect,'' he said.

Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen, chairman of the authority board, called the board to vote for toll increases Monday, saying that any delay could affect the authority's debt payments and hurt credit ratings.

But Linsky said that the state could assume some of the authority's debt, or find other ways to raise the $30 million that hikes are expected to bring in next year.

Facing criticism from board member Mary Connaughton, who pushed for higher tunnel tolls and no increase on the turnpike extension, authority staff proposed creating a study group to find a fairer toll distribution.

At Monday's meeting, board member Michael Angelini questioned why the group was necessary, suggesting that the research should fall under the authority's normal duties.

"God, that seems like an enormously long time,'' Angellini said when told by the authority's Acting Executive Director Mary Jane O'Meara that the study would take until April.

If the Legislature passes the bill, authored by North Shore Democrats Rep. Steven Walsh and Sen. Frederick Berry, a legislative commission would have 90 days to review the authority group's findings and make recommendations.

"It seems wrong to recognize the need for a study but to go ahead with the toll increases anyway ... nickel and diming the MetroWest and North Shore residents until they come up with a better plan,'' said Walsh, who is also worried that his constituents could face higher tolls on the Tobin Bridge.

Linsky said the Massachusetts Port Authority has traditionally followed turnpike toll increases with higher tolls on the bridge.

A spokesman from MassPort did not return calls for comment.

Turnpike Authority spokesman Mac Daniel said the authority "will work cooperatively with the Legislature on this item, but in the meantime, we are moving forward based on the vote to increase tolls.''