WPRO News and the Associated Press
PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (AP) – The Portsmouth Town Council will appeal a federal court judge’s dismissal of its challenge to tolls on the Sakonnet River Bridge.
The Newport Daily News reports that the council voted 5-1 Monday to appeal last Wednesday’s ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Ronald R. Lagueux in Providence.
The bridge opened in April 2013 and began collecting a 10-cent placeholder toll. The toll ended less than a year later in June when the General Assembly changed the law to prohibit tolls on the bridge.
The town said federal law prohibits a toll on bridges after they’re open. It also wants the return of more than $1 million in tolls.
Town Solicitor Kevin P. Gavin says Lagueux did not deal with the main point of Portsmouth’s challenge concerning federal rules prohibiting tolls on bridges that are open.
