Toll increase scheduled for October; hearing date set for Sept.10 in Lee

LEE- The restoration of Massachusetts Turnpike tolls on the western part of the Turnpike will begin  Oct. 15, at the same rate of $1.20 that was in place back in 1996 when the then Gov. William F. Weld removed them, noting that those in this part of the Commonwealth should not pay for the Big Dig in Boston.

The $1.20 fee is from Lee to West Springfield (Exit 4). Roundtrip travelers will be paying $2.40.

This, of course, is mandated short of public outcry forcing Mass DOT to reconsider, revise or come up with a reduced plan for travelers from Berkshire County.

A public hearing will be Sept. 10, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Lee High School to get feedback on the implementation plan, according to the agency’s spokesperson, Sara Lavoie.

State Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, D-Lenox, has supported the plan but is looking to give Berkshire County some type of discount to travelers.

Estimates indicate that the restoration of the private passenger vehicle tolls in this region will result in $12 million in revenue annually.

In accordance with legislation recently enacted by the Massachusetts House and Senate, MassDOT has devised an implementation plan and scheduled two public hearings for the restoration of private passenger vehicle tolls on the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) between Interchange 1 (West Stockbridge) and Interchange 6 (Springfield/I-291). The other one is in Springfield.

The toll restoration is part of a comprehensive transportation finance law passed by the legislature that will fund road and bridge and public transit projects across the Commonwealth.

Hearing attendees will be presented with an overview of the toll implementation plan from MassDOT staff, have an opportunity to ask questions and to provide comment. In addition, attendees will be able to join E-ZPass on site, Ms. Lavoie said.

The legislation requires a formal comment period. If you wish to comment, this email address will be active in the coming days: WesternTurnpike@dot.state.ma.us Comments will be accepted through the month of September.

Tolls collected along this section of the Turnpike will be part of the Massachusetts Transportation Trust Fund. By law, these funds cannot be spent on Turnpike construction or maintenance east of Interstate 95/Route 128.

Thus, between Interchanges 1-6 the “Pike” needs in this area include bridge and structure work like bridge deck replacement and resurfacing, bridge cleaning and painting as well as repairs to bridges and culverts.

Roadway work includes pavement resurfacing, guardrail, sign and lighting replacements. Buildings and facilities, such as service plazas and maintenance depots, are due for roof replacements over the next several years.

Posted by George C. Jordan III on August 15, 2013. Filed under News,State News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry