The U.S. DOT has given the go-ahead to begin construction on 10 more truck-only toll gantries in Rhode Island. The new locations will join two others that are online and have collected $3.7 million in tolls from truckers in about 6 months.
U.S. DOT’s approval of the new toll locations comes despite a lawsuit filed against the state over the current truck-only tolls. ATA filed the lawsuit, alleging that the tolls are an unconstitutional bar on interstate commerce.
New gantries will be installed along I-95, I-195, I-295, U.S. Route 6 and State Route 146. According to RIDOT, the gantries will be built one at a time. All 10 new gantries are expected to be operational by May of 2020.
Rhode Island will be building a total of 14 truck-only tolling locations as part of Governor Gina Raimondo’s Rhodeworks plan. When the program was proposed, the goal was to raise $1 billion from truck tolls over a 10-year period. The first two tolling locations however have raised significantly more than expected.
Each booth will charge truckers between $3.00 and $3.50. A trucker driving across the whole state will pay a total of $20, with a maximum toll of $40 per day.
Despite the legal challenges, other states are currently considering implementing truck-only tolls as a way to plug funding gaps. Connecticut is looking at implementing new tolls to the tune of $100-$250 million per year. Before the state takes any action though, they are reportedly waiting to see how the legal battle in Rhode Island goes.
Source: gobytrucknews, ttnews, whdh, wpri, ccj, DOT, truckersreport, truckersreport, truckersreport
Tanner says
Read between the lines drivers. This is NOT a good thing. What this really is is TESTING for “Driverless” automated trucks of the future. Remember. ALWAYS. We are hated by 90% of the public.
Don’t fall for this Okiedoke.
Brian says
They are not testing for driver less trucks. They want your money PERIOD
Kenny says
That’s why i don’t go n them screw up states bc they money hungry and just don’t care bout the truck drivers see if all of stop going to their state n let them finger how to get there stuff over there in their stores n wat ever else they will be thinking bout that a lil more
Brian says
And then the Mexicans will deliver the freight putting you out of work forever.
com.bil says
Get real, the idea that some Mexican O/O is going to target freight going to RL just to bust your chops, is Comic at best !
Trey Boyd says
Who cares? Republicans will never let that happen anyway
Shar says
Any way to get yet another dollar out of someone you don’t have to face. It’s not like trucks don’t pay enough taxes, you gotta suck more out of them. Hopefully companies like Schneider or Wenger won’t tell drivers we won’t cover tolls like they did with Ohio tolls.
The costs will trickle down to people who buy goods, just like the cost of fuel did. They will get your money one way or another. There will never be enough money for politicians. If there was extra, they’d find something to spend it on. Nobody wants to deal with a budget anymore.
And nobody cares how it might affect truck drivers.
J.C. Walker says
Agreed, it will go to the lowest common denominator.
Bruce Barbee says
Stop running up there and once their food supply runs out along with their fuel and other supplies maybe they’d see the light..
John McGreevy says
exactly driver but there are still enough idiots lining up to take the abuse so they keep doling it out
Mike R says
I agree with you and I’m grateful I don’t run nothing but Florida Georgia Alabama Tennessee and nowhere near the corrupt states on the east coast any more. But with that being said it’s not that easy for a company driver they pretty much go where there told to go or risk losing there job yeah they get another one but most all large carriers run the east coast.
Cherokee says
Totally 100% discrimination.
STARVE THEM AND MAKE THEM SUFFER.
Digitalage says
I haven’t crossed that greed line in over 20yrs now, more drivers need to just say no more..
When they start doing with out what we bring it will change! But as with fuel gouging greed drivers will just bend over and take it! Nobody wants to fight they just want to complain.
Justin Guzman says
Will refuse any load going up there all we need now is other drivers on board so u have the backbone or not..
com.bil says
Justin, here is a note for your attention ! If you own your own equipment pay your own truck expenses, then you can refuse a load, other wise you are giving them the one, number one reason, to let you go with extreme prejudice. Which will have an effect on you future references with certain reporting agencies when you try to find employment !
Jesus M Sanchez says
Not true, so many job , so many,
I’m drop a trailer , of us xpress , on fuel pump,
I’m aply 3 weks latter 5 company, all 5 call me offer me job
Williamfinney says
I’m a retired owner operator now thank the Lord. But I’ve been hearing these threats of I won’t go there for years and years it never materializes
jay says
Just when you thought the port authority was crooked
Jeromy Hodges says
Good Lord. Rhode Island is a tiny state. Are they going to have a gantry every 10 feet or what?
Mike R says
Tiny and corrupt to the core
Rufus says
Each state is obligated by the mandate of the creation of the interstate highway system to set aside 12% of their budget to pay for upkeep of the system.No special tax or toll is to be collected to maintain the highway because legislators are supposed to be providing proper leadership. If an automobile driver pays no special tax or toll for a section of federal highway, then as a citizen, truck driver notwithstanding… Taxing me is unlawful and predudicial.
com.bil says
You need to revisit the text you gleaned you info from, the have been some adjustments since that regulation was written !
Caterpillar6nz says
Might want to avoid Connecticut too our new governor elect is pushing truck only tolls as well. It’s a joke I cannot wait move out of New England.
John says
Boycott the state and then see how long they keep tolls up. Every truck driver needs to tell their dispathers a loud “NO”. O/O, just refuse freight to Rhode Island.
Steve Wilkins says
truckers need take a stand.u need learn stand up in fight back.u have what they want and need without you carrying there stuff to them they will go hungry,,clothesless, gasless,,and everything. they need you more than the tolls.
Michael Lovitt says
You could have a thousand truck drivers show up and block the highways, as soon as they went back to work, everyone would forget the issue.
Jerry R says
I quit going to RI when they opened the first one. The only thing that seems to work with greedy states. Not driving in that state. You watch VA now doing the stupid same thing for I-81
Inanyminet says
We do not run up there unless the rate is really good in addition to the cost of tolls both ways otherwise the freight can sit where it is.
R.J. says
Many, if not most look at trucks as rolling piggy banks and little more.
Bob says
Why are we paying a toll on any federal highway ? We already pay a tax with every gallon of fuel we pump. We pay highway use tax. We are taxed on everything from water to toilet paper. These bastards will never have enough. Truckers have the power to stop this . Instead of a one day shutdown in April, make it a week. Or more. No gas, food or anything else. They might pay attention.
Steel Horses and Wooden Men says
Taxing only truck drivers is Unconstitutional because it is a form of segregation. Big word, look it up
bobby porter says
well it’s the state’s that pass the local laws whether temporary speed traps,tax for heavy trucks so they can catch us on an failed inspection or just nickle and dime us to get what they can get from every trucker that comes to deliver there food,materials,construction supplies,tires etc.. we are the only way that they can get these things and if they don’t want us to go through there cities and drive our trucks to there grocery stores then we should boycott the eastern states and lets see how there economy drys up and how all hospitals, furniture stores,lowes, costco,walmart, kroger stores and all the things that home owners needs vanishes and truckers refuse to take weekly loads there. especially Rhode island they must only have a handful of stores as small as they are.thank god i live in the midwest. rhoad islandconnecticut and massachusetts are called the tax-achusetts state.. lol maybe we should all agree to take double or triple for loads 2000.00 – 4000.00 per load per day.. meet high taxes with higher rates… see how high they have to raise the cost of food then…
Randy Boy says
You have no power and you never will. It’s a bottom feeder industry anymore. What are you going to do? Quit? If you take your hand out of a bucket of water it don’t leave a hole.
Rafael Paez says
Just don’t go there let them be hungry no fuel no car parts no beds no roofing material Zero
Dale says
How is this not Taxation without Representation??? Every state that charges a rate that goes above the cost of maintenance is guilty.
Percheron1 says
And yet, this TAXATION has been going on for years…without any truckers announced protest…:(
TRY TO AVOID PURCHASING TCU (REEFER) FUEL IN THE STATES LISTED BELOW
These states do not refund fuel tax for non-highway used fuel (reefer fuel). If you need to purchase reefer fuel in one of these states, purchase only enough to get to a network fuel stop in a state not listed below.
Alabama
Arkansas
Delaware
Georgia (except company terminals)
Kentucky
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Michigan
Mississippi
New Hampshire
Oklahoma
Oregon
Rhode Island
South Dakota
Vermont
Canada
Trishlm says
Our fuel tax went up in Oklahoma because the teachers had a walkout. It was never voted on by the people or it would have never passed. The teachers claimed it was for the students ,which was a lie and although they all got a raise they’re still not happy
Rwp says
All these States that is for truck only BS rules and tolls just cut them off from receiveing any goods when the hell are we going to get tried of being the cash cow for every dam state that needs something because the state government is to dam laim to do anything
El NoCeapo says
News flash… truckers dont pay tolls… YOU do,so please feel free to toll me first 1,000,000$ a year for all I care . Mybpromise to you the consumer you will pay… have a nice day
Steve says
It’s not only unfair and discriminatory that its trucks only towards the trucking industry. Perhaps the trucking industry should refuse to haul and deliver freight and fuel to the Rhodes Island state and see how it affects their state economy. The industry can retaliate in more ways than one. Let’s the people go without food and fuel until they make the rolling fair.
Elton Clark says
Sounds good but you already know most of the sheeple, company driver or O O, will just go along with it. Everyone needs to grow a set and just DO IT! STOP GOING UP THERE . I DID. been over 8yrs now and hv no plans to change that.
Steven says
More taxes for people of RI
Don’t forget to charge accordingly for those loads traveling in RI.
People from MA will pay too 😂😂😂😂 for the state of RI .
Another way of charging one state to another state.
Kenny says
If I was an owner operator I would deliver to these states, just that simple. Truck only tolls is discrimination and we shouldn’t be penalized. Again, truckers should stand up together and not accept deliveries in or out of these states that think they can charge just truckers. BAN ALL DELIVERIES IN OR OUT OF TRUCK ONLY TOLLING STATES!!!
Steel Horses and Wooden Men says
Well said
waynesworld says
I’m glad the only tolls I deal with is il. & in. cause I be damn if I go in any northeastern state to deliver with a big truck, let the mega carriers who force their drivers to do that stuff lol, hell I actually quit going to call almost a year ago its just not worth it lol
Anthony Hoffer says
It is supposed to be unlawful for any entity to toll an existing highway interstate or otherwise because it was built using taxpayer dollars and each states legislators are supposed to set aside a certain amount of tax dollars annually for upkeep. Call your Congress person and your senator in DC to file a legitimate complaint.
Rudy Goins says
Raise the prices or don’t deliver frieght an do not travel through. That will take care of that.
Phillip Nickerson says
I’m going back to college, you guys can have it. This is why there’s a shortage of drivers as we speak.
David Collins says
Wyoming talked about it 10 years ago for I 80.
billbonu says
Whatever you do don’t shut down trucking all together for a few days. God forbid you miss a weeks pay in order to double up for the rest of your career. Instead, lash out against it on social media. That’ll show em who’s boss!!! Its all because of the new drivers fresh out of driving school. Its always their fault by default and truckers are brilliant! Smartest people on earth! As evidenced by their reaction to the ri tolls for example. If they keep adding these everywhere these drivers will whine for a full month non stop!one more and you’ll leave them no choice.
Derich J Simmons says
Isn’t that discrimination???
Jagged says
I don’t know why most truckers are worried about this. The cost of the tolls will be figured into the bill. The idiots that voted these people in are the same ones that will eventually pay for it.
Jesus M Sanchez says
Is reazon I’m make decisions not go north east,
Toll abuse price, why so many not do same?
See pay,check expenses, finally see how much u make
By miles, plus extres on traffic.
Mike says
Why is everyone panicking? When I go to the NE, I tack on an extra $100 for tolls. If they don’t want to pay it, I let the freight sit on the dock. If they don’t want to pay the tolls, I refuse the load.
Trey Boyd says
Raise the rates on products moving in,out, and through RI. Problem solved
Randy Lambright says
Fascinating….barely a one says anything about passing this cost on to a customer. I will be adding a 500 dollar surcharge to my customers bill next week as I have a shipment into RI in 2 weeks. It’s a business….run it like one. If your customer doesn’t want to pay, let the stuff sit on the dock. It’s a truck market, seez the moment.
Kevin Chevalier says
They change the rules when convenient amend what they want whenever it
suits their unjust causes, this is literally highway robbery at the state level
if the purpose is for up keep then everybody should be involved they shouldn’t
be allowed to target a particular sector.
nightdriver says
Everyone is overlooking the obvious. It is only a matter of time before these “toll gantries” are turned on to collect tolls from EVERY vehicle. THEN you will see a backlash from the motoring public. It’s coming…………
Robbie says
Why doesn’t the damn president step up to see what is going and try to fix this. Right now he is worries about a damn wall to keep Mexico out which they will always find a to get in.
Mike C. says
I know how to go around them but my company will probably say go under them .
Dan the man says
Give it a rest. You keep saying we won’t go there or we’ll starve them out but they still collected more than they ever dreamed in just 6 months. It’s not Mexicans or Sikhs propping this up its you and your own brotherhood. If you’re told to go there you’ll pay your $40 max per day to make your buck. There is no solidarity so stop wasting your breath. Just keep taking the bigger dicks because you’re going to carry on regardless.
TheRealTrucker says
I agree, all these guys do is talk. It’s like they’re having a conversation with dicks in their mouths.
TheRealTrucker says
Why anyone runs northeast boggles my mind. Keep taking it up the wazoo you deserve it.