New Rhode Island tolls take in $27,000 more than expected

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Rhode Island’s new tractor-trailer-truck-only tolling program raised $27,322.00 more than forecasted between June 11 and July 10, its first month of operation, and totaled $625,989, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT).

RIDOT studied the number of transactions, the receivables from tolling locations 1 and 2 and the number of trucks taking an alternate route.

“With one full month of operation under our belts, we feel confident that the tractor-trailer-truck-only tolling system is working as expected,” Peter Alviti, RIDOT director, said. “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.”

Studies conducted before tolling went into effect estimated 177,000 tolled vehicles would be tolled during the first month. The actual total was 188,815.

Studies also indicated 300 tractor-trailer trucks would divert from I-95 daily to Route 3 to avoid tolls. The real figure was four, so small a number RIDOT believes the cause is something other than diversion.

RIDOT will hold public comment meetings July 27 on the next 10 gantry locations. The department recently submitted an environmental assessment to the Federal Highway Administration.