Mass Governor says toll hikes may not be necessary

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick said in a talk radio interview this morning "yeah, it's possible" to a question about whether toll increases can be avoided. The Governor on WTKK 96.9FM a Boston talk station began saying toll increases were necessary although he hated them and wished they weren't necessary.

Patrick said the state had put off paying bills on the Big Dig for years, trying to avoid facing up to the issue for far too long. The Turnpike faced "a great big late fee if we put this off again" an apparent reference to the consequences of a credit downgrade.

But he also made the response it was "possible" that the administration and legislators could come up with  some alternative funding that would allow the toll increases to be avoided.

The Turnpike board has voted for a proposal to double cash tolls on the harbor tunnels and 60% increases in cash tolls at the two mainline plazas on the Boston metro portion of the Turnpike and somewhat lesser increases in electronic tolls. The overall result would increase revenues from about $170m/yr to $260m, 53%.

There is due to be a final vote later this month with five public hearings concluded yesterday.

In the interim the Turnpike chairman Bernard Cohen has resigned, some say having been pushed out. The Governor has appointed James Aloisi in his place, and Aloisi says he's having another look at the toll increases.

TOLLROADSnews 2009-01-08