Boston Area News

BOSTON (AP) ― Massachusetts Turnpike motorists still are adjusting to a toll increase that took effect this month, but it may only be the start.

When the turnpike board voted back in October to raise tolls, lawmakers and motorists were warned that more toll increases are likely unless the Legislature approves the Patrick administration's transportation reform package.

State Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen, who is chairman of the turnpike board, issued the salvo. But more than three months later, no bill has been filed. His spokesman said Friday that the measure will be filed early this year.

"The clock is ticking," said Rep. Joseph Wagner, House chairman of the Transportation Committee. "We're already into 2008. This has been talked about over the course of the last year. We anxiously await their submission of it to us."

And this week, two board members grumbled about the inevitability of future toll hikes when the board was forced to delay construction work on 30 projects, including Sumner Tunnel ceiling repairs, because of a lack of funds.

Gov. Deval Patrick in October outlined his plan to create a single, massive transportation agency -- dubbed MassTrans -- saying it would save hundreds of millions of dollars and speed improvements to neglected roads and bridges. The Turnpike Authority, which is saddled with overseeing the Big Dig, would be merged with the state Highway Department.

Days later, the turnpike board voted to increase tolls at the Allston-Brighton and Weston toll booths by 25 cents to $1.25, and tolls for the Ted Williams and Sumner tunnels in Boston by 50 cents to $3.50. The board considered greater increases, but decided to raise tolls only enough to satisfy legal requirements related to turnpike bond agreements.
 
Cohen warned that the toll hike was only a short-term solution in anticipation of Patrick's proposed reforms. He said: "If a comprehensive reform of transportation does not occur within the next year that refinances the Big Dig debt, the bond covenant that we inherited will force us to come back and seek additional toll revenues."

Patrick, in a radio interview this month, said he won't include the MassTrans proposal in his budget, which will be filed next week, because it's not "baked enough... We'll certainly finish the homework this year, and I hope early in the year."

Administration officials declined to comment on when the bill will be ready, but they've been briefing legislative leaders on their plans, and taking feedback as well, according to Wagner and Sen. Steven Baddour, co-chairman of the Transportation Committee.

"We're trying to do it as quickly as we can, but understanding that the problem is significant," said Baddour, noting that a legislative panel's finding last year that there's a projected $17 billion gap in spending to repair transportation infrastructure over the next 20 years.

"Our goal is to get something done this year," Baddour said. "If we're doing anything that's controversial it's going to have to be done before the end of formal sessions (July 31)."

Things that constitute controversial would include public-private partnerships or open-road tolling -- both of which would draw strong opposition from unions because they would result in a reduction of toll takers.

Indiana is leasing its 157-mile Toll Road to an outside company for the next 75 years for $3.8 billion. Chicago in 2005 signed a 99-year lease of its 7.8-mile Skyway toll road for $1.83 billion.

Both Wagner and Baddour said they're encouraging the Patrick administration to strongly consider including some public-private partnerships in the MassTrans bill.

"We've got to find a way to bring more money to the table," said Wagner, a Chicopee Democrat.

Cohen's spokesman declined to comment on any public-private partnerships. In a statement, Cohen said: "As for future transportation reform, the governor is expecting a plan from us in early 2008 and we are on track to deliver it."

Board member Mary Connaughton said the Legislature could help the turnpike authority by removing legal mandates around certain programs. She said the authority loses $5 million per year in toll discounts to Boston residents.

Another option, she said, is for the board to reinstate tolls on the westernmost portion of the turnpike, which would generate $12 million annually. She also supports looking into public-private partnerships.
Still, she said none of it may be enough to offset toll hikes if Patrick's overhaul fails.

"If the governor is not successful in a major transportation system overhaul, then we have to consider revenue sources. The primary place is to increase tolls," she said.

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