Thursday, 4:30 PM
Turnpike Authority votes to end tolls west of Route 128
By Mac Daniel and Raja Mishra, Globe Staff
The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority board voted in principle today to eliminate all tolls on the Pike west of Route 128 in June.
Tolls between Exit 1 in West Stockbridge on the New York border and Exit 6 at Interstate 291 just outside Springfield were eliminated for passenger cars in both directions in 1996, but under the plan all the remaining toll booths west of the Route 128 beltway in Weston would be eliminated.
While ending the tolls June 30 would reduce revenues, the loss would be offset by laying off about 200 toll collectors and by shifting administrative and maintenance responsibilities for that portion of the 138-mile roadway to the state Highway Department, says the proposal.
At an afternoon press conference, Gov. Mitt Romney and Lt. Gov. Kerry Healey applauded the move
"Finally we've been able to see inside the system ... and we found that we're collecting tolls to pay for the collection of tolls, said Healey, the Republican nominee for governor.
The turnpike board plans to take final action on the proposal Nov. 15 after getting financial and legal advice.
The board took no action today on another proposal calling for ending all tolls on the Turnpike east of Route 128 except for the Boston Harbor tunnels by Dec. 31, 2007.
The sweeping changes were recommended by Eric Kriss, the former state finance secretary tapped by Romney to review the authority's finances after the governor took control of the agency after the July 10 fatal ceiling collapse in the Interstate 90 connector tunnel.
At the same time the turnpike authority board was meeting, a special state commission looking at funding transportation needs was also meeting and discussing tolls. Two panel members had told the Globe earlier this month that the commission was expected to call for reinstating the tolls that had been eliminated in Western Massachusetts.
But the panel indicated today that it is divided on the issue of tolls and is unlikely to make a recommendation. The panel is also considering a possible increase in the gas tax.
