RIDOT: Truck tolls bring in more than $7M in first year

A tractor trailer truck rolls beneath a toll gantry on the first day that Rhode Island began collecting tolls on large trucks, June 11, 2018. Photo by Steve Klamkin WPRO News

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island transportation officials say $7.26 million has been collected in big truck toll revenues during the program’s first fiscal year.

Officials had estimated $7 million in revenue.

A third toll gantry was installed Tuesday night at the Woonasquatucket River Bridge on Route 6 in Providence and will be operational in mid-August.

The state expects $25 million in truck toll revenue over the next fiscal year. Funds will go toward repairing bridges and roads.

The trucking industry is fighting the program in court and claims having tolls imposed only on them is unconstitutional. Industry groups and companies have appealed a dismissal of their case. A federal appeals judge will hear arguments in September.

Rhode Island began collecting tolls on big trucks last year and plans a total of 14 gantries across the state.

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