Toll hikes eyed on Maine Pike

PORTLAND, Maine -- Motorists on the Maine Turnpike could face a toll increase in February 2005 to offset capital improvement costs.

Plans also call for a second toll increase in 2010, officials said, but the details of any toll changes were left up in the air after the Maine Turnpike Authority's monthly meeting Friday.

An estimated $67.8 million in additional revenue is needed through 2009 for repaving, bridge repairs north of Portland, and replacing the York toll plaza, among other projects, officials said.

That translates to a 22 percent increase in annual revenue next year and an additional 17 percent increase in 2010.

Paul Violette, the turnpike authority's executive director, said he expects to recommend three or four possible options for a toll increase at the authority's Feb. 27 meeting. He said he hopes the toll road's board of directors will settle on one option by mid-2004.

The turnpike phased out paper tickets during the 1990s, but the old system of paying based on the distance traveled is still in use under the Transpass electronic toll collection system.

Turnpike officials expect to collect $63.2 million in tolls in 2004 and $76.9 million next year.