The American Trucking Associations (ATA) have appealed the outcome of a case against Rhode Island’s truck-only toll, which was dismissed by the district court in March.
Their appeal argues that their initial case was dismissed not due to any merited case against them, but because of a procedural technicality. The ATA has been joined in the case by Cumberland Farms Inc., M&M Transport Services Inc., and New England Motor Freight, all arguing that Rhode Island’s toll structure violates the Constitution’s Commerce Clause by discriminating against interstate trucking companies. Further, by making tolls in a way that do not fairly approximate motorists’ use of the road, the organizations argue the toll cannot stand.
“Since RhodeWorks was first proposed, the trucking industry has been strong and united in opposition to this extortionate plan,” Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO, said. “We’ve warned politicians in Rhode Island that these truck-only tolls were unconstitutional and should be rolled back. It is unfortunate that Governor Raimondo and her administration did not heed those warnings. While we are disappointed the district court’s decision means further delay in seeing these tolls rolled back, our appeal of the dismissal of our case on a technicality should demonstrate to the state that this fight is by no means over, and we look forward to establishing the unconstitutionality of Rhode Island’s discriminatory tolls on the merits.”
The original case from the ATA was dismissed on March 19, when the district court ruled that the ATA’s challenge could not proceed in federal court. At that time, however, they refrained from addressing the merits of that constitutional claim.