Connecticut's answer to infrastructure (deed, upkeep, tax)

[mr2448]

Highway tolls and gas tax plan draws criticism | Mass Transit

[ormari]

I wonder if there was any coordination with Raimondo's staff regarding this. I remember reading in some CT paper, probably the Hartford Courant, that when the previous RI administration proposed tolls, CT state gov. was miffed that there was no coordination with them.

If there were "collusion" between the two states, it could make it awfully difficult for the truckers to avoid tolls in RI as they are planning.

[Hollytree]

Good point! Hope they would consider this as a factor.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by ormari

I wonder if there was any coordination with Raimondo's staff regarding this. I remember reading in some CT paper, probably the Hartford Courant, that when the previous RI administration proposed tolls, CT state gov. was miffed that there was no coordination with them.

If there were "collusion" between the two states, it could make it awfully difficult for the truckers to avoid tolls in RI as they are planning.

Why should Connecticut care ore miffed if Rhode Island instituted tolls. Connecticut eliminated their tolls over 30 years ago after a horrific accident in Stratford. They are resisted implementing them as a safety issue but now with open road tolling (no need to stop to pay tolls) they are reconsidering them to pay for desperately need expensive highway improvements. It is unclear if there is enough support to reimplement them but it is a start. Jay

[ormari]

^Hey, I don't know. It's your state! You tell us! But here's an example.

State Rep. Diana Urban of nearby North Stonington blasted R.I. Gov. Lincoln Chafee: "He has not called us. He has not communicated with us." Stonington First Selectman Edward Haberek Jr., who described himself as "really upset," followed word with deed by asking the Federal Highway Administration to deny the toll request.

It was certainly bad form for Rhode Island's leaders not to touch base with their I-95 neighbors to the west. Rhode Island is doing this because it is dire need of funds to pay for transportation infrastructure. With $2 billion worth of unfunded projects on the books, so is Connecticut. Federal funding is uncertain; Congress hasn't raised the federal gas tax since 1993. Would working together be out of the question?

Plus, there's something inequitable about soaking Connecticut and New York drivers coming into Rhode Island but not Rhode Island drivers heading into Massachusetts. Why no toll plaza at the other end of the state?

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Why should Connecticut care ore miffed if Rhode Island instituted tolls. Connecticut eliminated their tolls over 30 years ago after a horrific accident in Stratford. They are resisted implementing them as a safety issue but now with open road tolling (no need to stop to pay tolls) they are reconsidering them to pay for desperately need expensive highway improvements. It is unclear if there is enough support to reimplement them but it is a start. Jay

I'm always incredulous when I drive through Connecticut how poor a job the state has done upgrading their highway infrastructure over the last 40 years. Amtrak track infrastructure is also pathetic with 35 mph speed limits because the track is so bad.

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by ormari

^Hey, I don't know. It's your state! You tell us! But here's an example.

He obviously forgot the days when Connecticut had tolling and soaked New Yorkers and Rhode Islanders with tolls on the length of the Connecticut Turnpike. He doesn't complain about the toll over the New York border on the New England Thruway. But, soon the state of Connecticut will have their own gantry's on I-84, I-91, I-395 and I-95. And at that point I have no problems with tolling in Rhode Island (as long as Rhode Islanders get a discount). Right now only Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut have no tolling on their parts of I-95 in the Northeast. That will soon change!

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by mr2448

He obviously forgot the days when Connecticut had tolling and soaked New Yorkers and Rhode Islanders with tolls on the length of the Connecticut Turnpike. He doesn't complain about the toll over the New York border on the New England Thruway. But, soon the state of Connecticut will have their own gantry's on I-84, I-91, I-395 and I-95. And at that point I have no problems with tolling in Rhode Island (as long as Rhode Islanders get a discount). Right now only Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut have no tolling on their parts of I-95 in the Northeast. That will soon change!

Actually Connecticut has FHWA approval to install tolls on I-95 from New Haven to New York and on I-84 from Waterbury to Danbury and on I-84 in Hartford as part of a pilot funding program. The tolls can be added as part of highway expansion projects planned on those corridors but not otherwise.

Also, the section of I-95 from East Lyme to Rhode Island never had tolls on it. That section was not part of the original Connecticut Turnpike which was built before the Interstate Highway system was approved back in the 50's. Coming from Rhode Island the first toll you hit was in Madison, CT which is about 45 miles from the Rhode Island border. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by GeoffD

I'm always incredulous when I drive through Connecticut how poor a job the state has done upgrading their highway infrastructure over the last 40 years. Amtrak track infrastructure is also pathetic with 35 mph speed limits because the track is so bad.

Connecticut does not control Amtrak's upkeep of their tracks in the state so I doubt they are any worse than Rhode Island. As for our roads, I must say I get equally "incredulous" at the conditions of Rhode Island's roads particularly when I see state route that have not been paved in decades. Jay

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by JayCT

Actually Connecticut has FHWA approval to install tolls on I-95 from New Haven to New York and on I-84 from Waterbury to Danbury and on I-84 in Hartford as part of a pilot funding program. The tolls can be added as part of highway expansion projects planned on those corridors but not otherwise.

Also, the section of I-95 from East Lyme to Rhode Island never had tolls on it. That section was not part of the original Connecticut Turnpike which was built before the Interstate Highway system was approved back in the 50's. Coming from Rhode Island the first toll you hit was in Madison, CT which is about 45 miles from the Rhode Island border. Jay

Yes, Madison was the first on I-95 going westbound on I-95, but the Connecticut Turnpike had two tolls on what is now I-395 in Montville and Plainfield. The Plainfield toll booth was less than 8 miles from the Rhode island border.