Patrick seeking turnpike shakeup

Wants Massport to take control; Favors ending tolls west of Route 128

Governor Deval Patrick would eliminate most tolls west of Route 128 and transfer control of the Big Dig to the agency that runs Logan International Airport as part of a plan to dismantle the debt-laden Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and financially resuscitate the state's transportation system.

The plan, which the administration will present to the Legislature in January, would rid the state of the agency within 12 to 18 months, but do nothing to prevent drivers in the Greater Boston region from paying more at the tollbooths much sooner, under a toll increase that will be debated Friday.

"The governor has been pushing to simplify the transportation structure in Massachusetts," said Alan LeBovidge, executive director of the Turnpike Authority. "We're a perfect place to start."

Patrick's plan would turn over the Big Dig and highways within 128 to the Massachusetts Port Authority, an agency that has primarily focused on air and sea travel, and give the Massachusetts Highway Department re sponsibility for the turnpike west of 128. All tolls west of the 128 booths would be eliminated except those in Sturbridge and Stockbridge, the gateways to New York and Connecticut.The tolls at 128 would likely end only for West-bound commuters though that has yet to be finalized according to a state official. But even as word of the sweeping legislation began circulating around Beacon Hill, several crucial questions remained unanswered: Is Massport financially, legally, and logistically capable of taking on one of the world's most complicated tunnel projects, with maintenance costs of at least $100 million a year? Will the independent board that oversees Massport agree to assume that responsibility? How can the state afford to reduce tolls west of 128 amid a financial crisis that is hitting transportation agencies especially hard? And who would assume the Turnpike Authority's $2.2 billion debt, incurred mostly by the Big Dig?

"If you don't have the tolls, which now support the debt, who pays the debt?" asked Representative Joseph Wagner, the Chicopee Democrat who cochairs the transportation committee.

Massport has some experience operating a toll road - it now oversees the Tobin Bridge - but Patrick's plan would catapult the airport and seaport agency into one of the state's major road, tunnel, and bridge operators. If a takeover takes place, the agency would also have to ensure it complies with federal rules, which forbid it from diverting money collected from airlines - to operate runways and terminals - to unrelated expenses.

Massport issued a tepid statement yesterday, promising to work with Patrick.

"We are working to accomplish this as we review how it will impact the Authority's financials and not compromise the safety and security of our airport and seaport assets," the statement said. "Any and all decisions regarding this require Massport Board approval."

The turnpike west of 128 accounts for about $100 million in tolls each year, but carries more than $200 million in debt and long-term maintenance needs. The elimination of some toll-takers and other employees would make up some of the lost revenue, LeBovidge said, but he acknowledged that the state highway department would effectively be taking on more costs with fewer revenues than the turnpike currently collects. LeBovidge said he does not know how many of the Turnpike Authority's 1,100 employees would be transferred to other transportation agencies, rather than laid off.

Similar questions are being raised about the eastern portion of the turnpike and the Big Dig, where the Turnpike Authority carries more than $2 billion in debt. The debt, accumulated during Big Dig construction, has crippled the authority, leaving it constantly in need of toll increases and unable to pay all of its maintenance costs.

"You've got to find a way to deal with the debt," said Steve Silveira, a lobbyist who headed a prominent state committee on transportation finance.

The authority board raised tolls in January, but members knew then they would likely have to revisit costs again this year. Since then, the agency's finances have only declined, with some commuters turning to public transportation when gas prices rose, old investments turning sour during the credit crisis, and a continued inability to keep up with increasing debt. The authority has been reviewing toll options all year and will likely be asked to vote on a plan at Friday's meeting. LeBovidge yesterday said that he would probably recommend an increase, but was still not sure how high.

Even as the evolving plan gathered some skeptics yesterday, few were backing the Turnpike Authority, long criticized as inefficient and bloated.

"Let me tell you with glee how happy I am," said Senator Mark C. Montigny, the New Bedford Democrat and longtime critic of the authority. "Don't let the door hit you on the way out. It's long overdue."

Montigny, like others, said the details will be important, especially the question of who pays the debt and whether Massport will invite public scrutiny of how it runs the toll road.

"I don't want to go from one opaque dumping ground to the next," he said.

House Speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi gave initial support to the plan, saying, "It's by necessity, need, and it's going to be agreed upon by everyone."

"The governor has been working on this for a very long time," said DiMasi, discussing the plan with the governor and Senate President Therese Murray. "Something drastic needs to be done, and if it's the dismantling of the Turnpike Authority, I for one may tend to agree with that."

"My sense on this is, fairly or not, the turnpike has become a symbol of government gone bad in the minds of many and getting rid of it has become the cause celebre for others," said Silveira, a Republican.

Staff writer Mathew Viser contributed to this report. Noah Bierman can be reached at nbierman@globe.com.