Divided over highway tolls

Need for money drives discussion

State lawmakers on Wednesday faced the reality of dwindling money to fix Connecticut’s aging and congested highways — and using electronic highway tolls as a possible solution.

“It is reasonable and fair for Connecticut to implement tolls like other states on the Northeastern corridor,” James Redeker, commissioner of the state Department of Transportation, said during a public hearing.

“Tolls enable a reliable revenue to assist the economy of the state,” Redeker said. “Without additional revenue, devastating cuts are inevitable and massive reductions in spending for highways, rails and bridges.”

But as Redeker ticked off the DOT’s fiscal woes — cancellation of $4.3 billion in highway projects, higher Metro-North fares and rail service cutbacks — some lawmakers looked for ways to block tolls, and the projected $800 million in yearly revenue they represent.

“We have different taxing circumstances that other states don’t have, such as property taxes, a two-part gas tax and a

number of other taxes,” state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton said.

“I’ve done three or four polls: it’s 9 to 1 and 10 to 1to oppose tolls because it’s an additional cost the public has to bear,” Boucher said.

The Legislature’s transportation committee heard hours of testimony Wednesday over three bills that would bring electronic tolling to interstates 95, 84 and 91, the Merritt Parkway and probably state routes such as routes 8 and 9.

Dozens of gantries — electronic scanning devices above highways that read license plates or an E-ZPass as cars travel underneath — would be erected, possibly as many as 72 across the state. Drivers would pay a toll based on cents per mile traveled.

Some studies have placed the cost of a one-way trip from New Haven to the New York border at $6; the same trip along the scenic Merritt Parkway could run $5.

Patrick Sasser, who owns a Stamford trucking company, said tolls would be devastating to small businesses.

“There is never a mention of what impact this will have on small businesses,” Sasser said. “Electricians, pool companies — all of these trades — if they have to pay higher (gas) taxes and tolls to service their customers, ultimately the customer will pay the price.”

The state cannot place tolls at the borders without losing millions in federal funding. Although the exact price of tolls has not been determined, there are many options for tolling: the fee could go up during peak times, only certain lanes could be tolled or the system could charge the same price every day.

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the Democratic majority have endorsed tolls to help replenish the Special Transportation Fund, which pays for transportation improvements. The STF is scheduled to be insolvent in a few years if new revenue is not found.

Malloy has proposed raising the gas tax by 7 cents over four years, a new tax on car sales and a $3 tax on tires.

“Tolls enable a reliable revenue to assist the economy of the state.”

James Redeker, transportation commissioner

‘Fiscal pickle’

Lawmakers recognized the dire straits the state’s transportation system is facing, including heavy congestion in Fairfield County. Plans to widen I-95 between Greenwich and Bridgeport, along I-84 in Danbury and the Hartford section to ease congestion are on the books, but there is no money for the projects.

A number of legislators, mostly Republicans, rejected tolls as a solution, an indicator of how difficult it may be to authorize tolling considering the 18-18 split between Republicans and Democrats in the state Senate.

“We understand the fiscal pickle you are in,” Sen. Scott Frantz, R-Greenwich, told Redeker.

“Tolls are not the way to go; tolls don’t work,” Frantz said. “So many people feel they have already paid for the roads and see it as another tax.”

Harry Fisher, a Greenwich resident with an office in Stamford, said drivers could easily bypass tolls by using local roads.

“It would be easier to get off the highway to avoid tolls,” Fisher said. “Southwest Connecticut is tired of Hartford attacking our wallets.”

State Sen. Carlos Leone, D-Stamford, said he cannot see another option to tolls.

“We are at a crossroads and if we don’t make the right decision here, we are at a point of no return,” Leone said. “The time to control our destiny is now. We need to face the facts.”

State Rep. Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, worried tolls could affect retail centers such as the Danbury mall.

“When you look at the parking lot at the Danbury mall, 50 to 60 percent of the cars are from New York State,” Harding said. “In addition to a household impact from tolls, you have to look at the fiscal impact. People might stay in New York and shop at malls there.”

Diverting traffic

State Rep. Chris Rosario, D-Bridgeport, said his constituents are resigned to tolls.

“People in the Bridgeport area have been supported of tolls,” Rosario said. “But there are concerns about lower income residents. Frequent driver programs can lower costs for lowerincome people.”