In letter sent to “The Honorable Gina M. Raimondo,” Governor of Rhode Island and champion of a proposed truck-only tolling program in her state, the American Trucking Association made it clear in no uncertain terms that they believe that certain aspects of the proposed program are “disallowed by Federal Law.”
Governor Raimondo’s plan is part of the “RhodeWorks” project which would look to repair, maintain, and improve roads in the state of Rhode Island with a $1 billion investment – over half of which she expects to be paid by truckers.
When confronted with justifying the focus on truckers, House Speaker Mattiello (who was cc’d on the letter) said that “it seems to me that we are going to get a lot of economic benefit and most of it will be paid by out of state trucking companies.”
Earlier this month, the RIDOT published a list of the proposed tolling locations, but Governor Raimondo warned that trucks would be prevented from taking local roads to avoid the tolls. Then State Police Superintendent O’Donnell committed to taking enforcement action against truckers avoiding tolls using local roads. This is a large portion of what the ATA is taking issue with.
According to the ATA’s letter to the Governor, the state currently lacks the legal authority to take any enforcement action against trucks leaving a tollway. It goes on to say that even if they did draft a new law allowing them to do so, it would be overruled by federal law which prevents states from restricting the movement of commercial vehicles.
The letter, which you can read in full here, shoots several other holes in Rhode Island’s plan to impose truck-only tolling and concludes that the state may want to “consult with the Federal Highway Administration’s regional office prior to proposing legislation aimed at restricting large trucks, in order to ensure that any contemplated action is consistent with federal law.”
So now that the ATA has thrown the gauntlet, it will be interesting to see how Gov. Raimondo responds.
Source: providencejournal, truckinginfo, warwickonline, ATA, truckersreport, truckersreport
Donna says
Oh Rhode Island, first let me say that I am glad we are not in trucking any longer and have retired. It would be a cold day in July before this would fly. You want me the trucker to pay a Toll to deliver your groceties, your medicine, your gas well how about this, i’ll drop your cargo at the State line and you idiots figure out how your going to distribute it. Don’t forget to pay your toll because you’ll have to be in a truck to pick it up. Good luck with that let me know how that works out for you by the way.
George says
I agree! A small owner operator that’s doing all he can to stretch a buck and now he isn’t allowed to drive on a rated route. Big brother has gone to far. Something needs to be done . It isn’t going to be our politician’s they been taken care of by turning a deaf and blind eye to our needs.
m says
they are not looking for the little guy to foot their bill . they are looking for those big companies like J.B. or Western express to pay the toll. I am embarrased to say I live here but the bridge they repaired was paid for by the big trucking companies. I saw one time ,no lie , 5 western express trucks pulled over and it was an every day occurence. If you are stupid enough to get caught once then shame on you but please don’t get caught several times doing the same thing. AS I said I live here and I know how to get around all of those tolls .
Mike says
There was also detour signs and a weight limit placed on that bridge. I’ll assume you mean Pawtucket.
Did the fines go toward that bridge? I would like to think so but who friggin knows with this state. If this toll goes thru its just not going to stop with the funding of the roadway repairs
Joe says
Time to impose a hefty “toll surcharge” on all loads entering the state. Even if the ban on avoiding the tolls is dropped, it will still cost truckers more in time and money. I’m sure the residents of Rhode Island and the surrounding states won’t mind paying more for their food and other goods…do ya think?
Infosaur says
Or suspend their federal highway funds.
Vinnie says
Donna you are 100% correct.
Samuel lee says
Rhode Island is a great state for welfare families. ….not commerce.
BASEBALLBAT says
I wouldn’t pay to get stuck there. They obviously hate trucks, so what is the point of losing time and money visiting a hateful location?
Stingray1963 says
I would avoid states like Rhode Island that want truckers to pay tolls.
Cherokee says
I don’t deliver anything to Rhode island now, so I sure as God gave us little green apples won’t have a problem running up 84 to the mass pike and go around the top side of Beantown,
Frank in upstate NY says
Let me start by saying,…”God loves us all”….now the ‘at-hand’ response.
Without truckers….all countries die of “lack of product” to shelves, stores, etc. This is self evident.
Truckers should given a National Holiday as well. Why? They make the whole world’s economic engine “purr.” (yes,…’periods’ go inside quotation marks)
Imagine someone needs to leave their’ family for a week at a time; on average without seeing them…..then,…imagine being paid about 40K a year…only after the first year of “driving hell”, to earn the right to a lower middle class living…
then imagine having to “fight your employer for proper pay”…because ‘checks’ are often shorted. This is ubiquitous.
Or…..trains can drop everything off at large City Depot’s….and we can all “fend for ourselves.”
Which do YOU prefer? Hhhhhmmmmm,….I thought so. Not everyone is cut out to be an RN, MD, lawyer, mechanic, etc. Driving is ‘difficult’ at best.
Incomes need to rise for all drivers of Class A status…..NOW.
No,…I don’t drive a truck…I’m a regular citizen.
Mike says
Thanks for getting it Frank
Robert Herndon says
Well, then the people of the state of RI need to pay more for their commodities to cover the extra cost to truckers, let them know they pay x amount % more than people right across the state lines from them, and the governor will change her tune real quick. People in RI who live right on state lines can cross the line into other states and save money, taking the tax money out of the state. It is easy to fix these politicians if you hit em in the wallet. The problem is — will the trucking companies work together to charge them an increased price.
m says
you know you talk about shopping in either Ct. or Ma. as going so far in distance. Think about it , some people driver further to get to work than I would to leave the center of RI and go in any direction to get out of this state. The State is ,let me get this pretty close, 26 miles wide by 48 miles long. So 13×24 .
Kevin says
Why is it they always have to add a tax or a charge when they need something,they need to start making cuts on all their wasteful spending then they would have all the money they need for infrastructure
pat says
Just refuse to cross the state line to RI. Make them build warehouses on the line to receive any trucked goods. The extra cost alone will make them change their minds.
Lance N. says
So the federal government gets a stick up its rear end over a minor detail in Federal Law, but nobody will do anything about the illegal drugs being openly sold in retail stores in Colorado.
Brian ornowski says
Who cares about Colorado. By that theory we legally sell in every grocery store and gas station alcohol which has killed and destroyed millions of families. Besides they don’t have to use toll for trucks because weed pays there bills. Truckers are always welcome in Colorado. We love the work you guys do and welcome you anytime.
Michael says
This is yet another proposed kick in the a to the trucking industry, it may not go through but they will find something else. Its always something, more cost, more responsibility etc etc and no one wants to pay for it. Im in this business since Im 20 yrs old, 30 yrs now and I cant wait to get out.
larry herth says
Its the consumers of R.I that will feel the increase of products. I myself is a otr driver and i live in long Island N.Y our food prices r sky hi G.W bridge 95 bucks herd its going to 120$ for a big rig . O ya bridge isnt no better still pot holes bumps ….
Mike says
I have said it before, they charge, toll and impose fees like trucks are rolling down the road with 45K of the driver’s personal belongings in the trailer. The only reason a truck is driving into a town is to bring the items those people want.
Mike says
New York has been doing that for Years on I-287, trucks are the only ones paying both ways to cross the Tapenzee bridge. That isn’t right either but it’s still being done.
Andrew says
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B91BYDLzgK-iNV8tSUFNUzUyWlE/view?usp=docslist_api
Oops? Did my trip planning find a reasonable route around your crappy state?
Infosaur says
I’m going to invest in a warehouse on the Connecticut state line, right behind the Pilot. Who’s with me?