It’s been about a month and a half since Rhode Island started collecting its infamous truck-only tolls. Only two out of fourteen tolling locations are open and a lawsuit has already been filed over the tolls, but the state says that “all is going well.” And for them it seems to be: the tolls are bringing in more money than they expected.
According to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), the two tolling locations collected $625,989 in the first month alone. That’s $27,322 more than what the state had estimated. The reason for the discrepancy seems to be that DOT expected that around 300 trucks every day would divert from I-95 to Route 3 to avoid the tolls. Instead, an average of only four extra trucks traveled on Route 3 every day.
The tolls are part of Governor Gina Raimondo’s RhodeWorks program which is meant to repair and replace Rhode Island’s crumbling infrastructure. For more information on the tolls and the lawsuit that has been filed against it, you can read our previous coverage here.
“With one full month of operation under our belts, we feel confident that the tractor-trailer truck-only tolling system is working as expected,” said RIDOT Director Peter Alviti in a press release. “The data we are seeing is in line with what we had estimated and all is going well. We are seeing a stable tolling system. We have and will continue to monitor the system closely.”
Source: RI, overdrive, ttnews, RIDOT, providencejournal, turnto10, truckersreport, truckersreport
Andrew H says
Reason why it’s working, is the big carriers with their deep pockets from shorting drivers actual decent pay, are flipping the bill. I’m sure O/Os are finding better ways around.
Jerry says
I’m thinking it must be the divers following their GPS… too lazy to trip plan or bother with an atlas. I work for a mega, and I haven’t been through R.I. yet; but if I ever do, i’ll take a dirt road before I help give that state a single penny.
Rayzer says
After 22 years, so glad to be out of that damn industry where nobody stands up for anything. Not that I don’t still respect all the drivers that do it, it’s a rough life, but so glad I was at the right place at the right time and landed such an awesome “normal” job; 11 months and counting!
Kevin says
Big companies are screwing the public again! By allowing their trucks to use this and go through other states will be reeling at the chance to do the same.$$$$
Pet says
Well…
I have boycut RI totally. I do refuse any load that would have me travel thru that state. If I cannot route around the state then I don’t go there. We as O/O pay more than our share.
Chris says
Maybe we should stop delivering products to Rhode Island by truck. You don’t know what you got till it’s gone. They would stop that toll in a hurry.
Jim says
Lots of talk, never and action.
Ron Altenhain says
In our companies eyes, The State of Rhode Island no longer is in existence. We will not enter the State under ANY circumstance. As far as we are concerned, when the Gov. of the state signed truck only tolls or tolls of any sort on interstate highways, she signed a death warrant for her State and constituents.
Kevin says
After 38 years as an O/O and all the BS going on now I am calling it a day..
Deborah Stobaugh says
Owner Operator ‘s have and many seasoned company drivers have left the industry for reasons jus like Rhode Island and Indiana tolls just example. Walmart our biggest allies providing a safe haven parking are noe restricted because cities have imposed laws forbidding truck parking in city limits. The other like Kansas City impose fines for parking on highways or ramps. Yet there are no truck stops near for safe parking or FMCSA says you can’t drive your hours are up. At election time people should ask for the fudiciary accounting of where every penny spent went . Take a lesson from Kansas Toll Roads the money is well spent on keeping them in good condition not only for trucks but all drivers.
I have the option to not use those bad roads, Indiana one of the worst. There were no bids on the work ,time, equipment, not to mention the salaries. My husband owned an excavating company, knows the cost. Indiana,s 50k out of the Billion they are paying the state – doesn’t there seam something illegal in the back room!
WHAT PRIVATE COMPANY INDIANA TOLL WOULD PAY A STATE 1B to take 50K of it to fix their own worst roads for all traffic???
WHY DIDNT THEY USE 1B to fix the roads then if anything left over offer it to help the state?
Truckers instead of using sarcastic comments, and Feel Sorry for me I’m an under paid trucker use the skills the fifth grade gave you! Write Senetors Lawyers , call OOIDA this one is a great law suit since Indiana Toll a Private company, not state,
Would have huge legal fees and open discrimination. Take pics video if team have one video the conditions. Don’t let them say your acting as children , be pro-active.
Go to your blogs you’ll fight human trafficking but won’t fight for yourselves your income or a wronged principle.