Mass Pike CEO says state Treasurer inaccurate

Mass Turnpike CEO Jeffrey Mullan has written that the state Treasurer Timothy Cahill committed "several basic inaccuracies" in comments he made suggesting a settlement of the class action lawsuit led by Jan Schlichtmann. The suit claims use of Turnpike tolls to support the untolled Big Dig are illegal unconstitutional and unfair. It seeks refunds and an end to the practice of using tolls for untolled roads.

According to Associated Press, Mullan says the state would not be liable as the Treasurer suggested but the new Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), which despite its name will be an independent authority of the state with its own board of directors.

MassDOT will take over the assets and liabilities of the Turnpike Authority as well as those of the state's tax-supported highways and the 'T' transit system in Boston Nov 1.

Mullan says the Turnpike has been spending monies on the Big Dig debt and operations in accordance with state law, and with bond covenants.

The lawsuit is an irresponsible misuse of the legal system, Mullan says, according to AP.

TOLLROADSnews 2009-08-05