End of discount seen as boost for N.H. pike

CONCORD, N.H.-- Eliminating discounted highway tokens is expected to boost revenue for the turnpike system and more than offset the cost of operating the E-ZPass electronic toll system, state officials say.

The fiscal health of the state's toll roads has come under fire from some lawmakers who disagree with the governor's choices for handling the startup costs.

Governor John Lynch and the Executive Council voted to sell the transponders, which are required to collect the electronic tolls, to drivers for $5 each when the cost to the state is more than $27.

The price will go up Aug. 3 on the Legislature's order.

Still, officials of the state Department of Transportation say they expect to bring in an additional $12 million to $13 million, once the token system is phased out. That should more than offset the projected $6.5 million to $7 million yearly cost of operating E-ZPass.