A tollbooth. Image from Wikipedia.
WPRO Newsroom and the Associated Press
TIVERTON, R.I. (AP) – The Tiverton Town Council has voted to join Portsmouth's federal lawsuit that seeks to block the imposition of tolls on the new Sakonnet River Bridge.
Tuesday night's unanimous vote follows a decision by the Bristol Town Council last week to join the suit.
A U.S. District Court judge has scheduled a hearing in Providence for Wednesday afternoon on a request for a temporary restraining order to stop work on the tolls.
Locals have argued that tolls would be an unfair burden on them, while state officials have said they are needed to help pay to maintain the bridge.
The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has said it doesn't plan to begin collecting the tolls, which range from 75 cents to $5.25, until July 1.
