Town residents and business owners are up in arms over a proposed toll on the new Sakonnet River Bridge.
During an address to discuss the state budget on Tuesday, Gov. Donald Carcieri proposed charging commuters $4 each way or 83 cents for Rhode Island residents with EZ Pass.
The toll would not go into effect until the bridge is completed in 2012. The fee is contingent on selling the structure to the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority. The state would receive approximately 70 percent of the toll collections until the cost of the bridge is paid off.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation broke ground on the $164 million bridge renovation project in April 2009.
Herbert “Huck” Little is furious at the governor’s toll proposal.
The owner of Lil’ Bear Sports Lounge on Main Road is also a longtime member of the Portsmouth, R.I., town council. He said his business will take a [...]

Original post by Derek Vital