Rhode Island's transportation funding dilemma is old news. In 2008, the Providence Journal mentioned the city's consideration of "drastic measures" such as imposing tolls on major highways to raise money to address the state's worsening transportation budget deficit. The potential tolls were some of the options being entertained by then-Governor Donald Carcieri's '65 Blue Ribbon Panel for Transportation Funding.
In December 2008, the panel produced its report. They faulted an over-reliance on federal funding — $220 million in federal aid — and high debt service payments — $96 million a year — among the factors contributing to Rhode Island's "unsustainable" funding system, and they provided alternative funding scenarios. These scenarios included measures like increasing vehicle registration fees and certain taxes, introducing vehicle mileage fees and, yes, tolling.
Discussion of a toll on Interstate 95 reemerged in June of this year, when Rhode Island Department of Transportation Director Michael Lewis made a request to the Federal Highway Administration for permission to toll the Interstate. The funds would be used to maintain existing transportation structures.
His request has been decisively unpopular among Rhode Islanders, with three-quarters of those polled opposing the idea. The request was met with cries of indignation from taxpayers who feel they have already paid for the roads and blame mismanagement for the current situation. This indignation is not without justification, as Rick Reed and Gary Sasse recently demonstrated in an opinion piece in the Providence Journal. It's clear that the additional financial strain of the toll will be great for some of the drivers who rely on the interstate for their daily commutes.
It's not ideal, but it looks like the toll might be necessary medicine for a struggling Rhode Island transportation system. A study released last October reported that Rhode Island will face a $4.5 billion transportation deficit by 2020. At the same time, the need for maintenance and improvements to existing roadways and bridges is greater than ever, with road conditions linked to everything from higher-than-average rural traffic fatality rates to an estimated $1,300 in expenses per Providence driver.
Improved access to education, services and jobs, increased environmental sustainability and greater appeal to businesses are just some of the crucial advantages of a well-functioning transportation system. While it may not have the emotional tug of other initiatives, improving Rhode Island's transportation is essential for the long-term development of the state and could even increase returns to other improvement projects.
It's estimated that a toll of $3 for cars crossing into Rhode Island from Connecticut on Interstate 95 could yield about $50 million annually for Rhode Island transportation. Tolls have an element of "fairness," because they use money from those enjoying the advantages of roads to fund their maintenance. Improved safety and road conditions will have positive effects on drivers' wallets, and the toll could reduce over-reliance on federal funds.
We are confident that research and debate will continue around this important issue, and we hope for the emergence of easier-to-swallow solutions for improving Rhode Island transportation. In the meantime, if coupled with a strong emphasis on accountability to taxpayers, we think this toll is worth considering — a medicine worth swallowing, so to speak — as one part of a new funding model for transportation.
Editorials are written by The Herald's editorial page board. Send comments to editorials@browndailyherald.com.
